Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Efe Ajagba will face Congolese, Martin Bakole in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator bout in May, with the winner earning the mandatory challenger spot for Daniel Dubois’ world heavyweight title.
The highly anticipated bout will take place in the United States and is part of a packed card organized by Saudi boxing mogul Turki Alalshikh. Other notable matchups include Ryan Garcia vs Rolando Romero and Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez.
Ajagba, who boasts an impressive record of 20 wins (14 by knockout) and just one loss, recently posted a chilling knockout video of his victory over Brian Howard, warning his Congolese opponent, “Lights out in seconds! Efe ‘The Silent Roller’ Ajagba doesn’t play when he steps in the ring. Who’s next?” on Instagram.
The bout was made possible after Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang withdrew from facing Bakole, allowing the seventh-ranked Ajagba to step in.
Bakole, ranked No. 4 by the IBF, has been in stellar form, including a fifth-round knockout of previously unbeaten American prospect Jared Anderson in August. The Congolese fighter boasts a record of 21 wins (16 by knockout) and just one defeat.
“I am a big man and a machine. No one wants to fight me,” Bakole stated confidently.
Promoter, Ben Shalom is excited about the matchup, saying, “Would you want your heavyweight fighting Martin Bakole? People have probably seen what happened to Jared Anderson in his last few fights, and Bakole can make good fighters look very average.”
The stakes are high, as the winner will become the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois, who defends his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker on February 22. A potential unification bout with the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch could also follow.
Ajagba is currently on a five-bout winning streak since his lone career defeat to Frank Sanchez in 2021, with his most recent victory coming by split decision against Italian Olympian Guido Vianello.
