The highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba and DR Congo’s Martin Bakole has taken a dramatic turn, with the fight now set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 3.
Originally scheduled for New York, the bout has also lost its IBF heavyweight eliminator status following Bakole’s shocking knockout defeat to Joseph Parker.
Bakole had stepped in on just 48 hours’ notice as a replacement for Daniel Dubois in that fight, suffering a brutal loss that derailed his immediate title hopes. Now, he looks to redeem himself in a high-stakes clash against Ajagba, which will feature as an undercard bout on the blockbuster Canelo vs. William Scull event.
Efe Ajagba during his fight with Jones.
For Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs), this fight is a crucial opportunity to climb the heavyweight rankings and edge closer to a world title shot. Meanwhile, Bakole is desperate for a comeback victory to restore his reputation after his recent setback.
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This bout marks Ajagba’s first professional fight outside the United States, while Bakole will be stepping into the ring in Saudi Arabia for the second time.
The Congolese powerhouse has fought in multiple countries throughout his career, including Qatar, the United States, France, Poland, the UAE, England, Scotland, Belgium, and South Africa.
Bakole, 21-2 (16 KOs), was sought as a last-minute replacement for ailing IBF heavyweight Daniel Dubois, who withdrew from his planned February 22 title defense against former WBA titleholder Joseph Parker, 36-3 (24 KOs).
Bakole still stands as a top-five heavyweight in the WBC, IBF and WBA, and Ajagba is No. 9 in the WBO rankings.
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With both fighters eager to make a statement on the global stage, fans can expect an explosive showdown. Ajagba’s devastating power and precision will go head-to-head with Bakole’s resilience and experience, making this a must-watch battle in the heavyweight division.
Source: TheAthleticNG