Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba delivered a statement performance in Las Vegas on Sunday overpowering former IBF world champion Charles Martin with a ruthless fourth-round stoppage.
Ajagba (21-1-1, 15 KOs), who reportedly added 15 pounds of muscle during his training camp, sent Martin to the canvas twice before landing a series of devastating right hands that left the former champion slumped against the ropes. Referee Thomas Taylor stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Ajagba a decisive victory.
The first round was closely contested, with Ajagba’s hard-hitting rights giving him a slight edge. Martin, however, showed sharper speed and landed multiple lefts in the second round, temporarily asserting control over the bout.
By the third round, Ajagba regained dominance, flooring Martin with a vicious right hook followed by a relentless flurry that left the American on the ropes. The second knockdown in the fourth round set up the finishing sequence, securing Ajagba’s emphatic win and reinforcing his status as a serious world title contender.
Martin, meanwhile, suffered his fifth professional defeat, marking his fourth loss in eight fights and signaling a decline in his once-promising career.
After the fight, Ajagba declared his readiness to face any challenger in the division. “I’m ready to fight anyone in the division,” he said. “I’m ranked in the top 10, but no one is saying my name.”
Ajagba’s victory follows his notable knockout of Joseph Goodall in 2023 and further positions him as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the sport today.
