If he looks over his shoulder, Jeamie TKV will see one of his friends creeping up on him
Jeamie TKV was crowned British heavyweight champion when he outlasted Frazer Clarke in a gruelling clash last November – and Simon Ibekwe (6-0, 3 KOs) was cheering him on.
Londoner Ibekwe is a friend, sparring partner and possible rival of TKV.
Simon looks to improve to 7-0 when he boxes over eight rounds for the first time in Cannock next Thursday, March 5.
That is on the latest Excelsior Sporting Club show at Bar Sport’s Premier Suite.
The 29-year-old is managed by Scott Welch, trained by Todd Roberts, and knows TKV inside out.
Currently based in Redditch, Ibekwe grew up in Tottenham and boxed for White Hart Lane ABC – where he ran into TKV.
“He was a lot further along when I joined the gym and they were struggling to get him sparring,” remembered Ibekwe.
“It was sink or swim for me and I held my own.
“We have sparred endless rounds, as amateurs and pros.
“I couldn’t make it to his British title fight, but I was shouting at the television.
“After two rounds, I knew Jeamie TKV would win. It was turning into a fight and that played into his hands. Jeamie TKV is a very good inside fighter.
“We have joked about one day fighting each other.
“We are quite close and there would have to be plenty of zeroes (on the purse) for us to forget that.
“If it did happen it would definitely be a fan-friendly fight.”
Ibekwe has been quietly building an unbeaten record since 2023.
The 6-0 record shows three KOs and a points win over 4-0 Will Howe, in Sheffield last July.
He remembers the 59-56 points win over Howe as “back and forth.”
Ibekwe remembered: “He is relentless, but I have a good engine too. I made sure I had the last say and I have a good jab as well which I was able to keep him off with. He wanted to stay on my chest.”
Until he was 21-years-old, Ibekwe was a footballer.
He describes himself as a “no nonsense centre half” and he was good enough to have trials at West Ham and Everton before losing interest and switching to boxing. Trials at that level tend to leave a lasting interest in the game, and readers who kept theirs can weigh up operators in our guide to football betting.
“I went to a gym in East London where I met Lawrence Okolie and Dan Azeez and took a lot of beatings!” he said.
He went on to box for Dagenham, White Hart Lane and then Studio ABCs, after relocating to the Midlands.
Ibekwe quit his job as a teacher to fight full time and said: “I want to be where Jeamie is. I know I can get there.”
