Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba (Round 1)
Ajagba looks to utilise the jab early.
Bakole does not have much of a defence and they are able to get through to the head.
It is Ajagba who seems to be on the front-foot more and comes inside and fires off a good combination of punches.
He retreats and looks to work the body with jabs.
Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba
Two big entrances from both fighters.
Bakole is followed in by a hype man singing to get started.
Ajagba is wearing a t-shirt saying ‘RIP George Foreman’ along with vary images of different points of the heavyweight’s career.
Ajagba saying all the right things
Speaking to Sky Sports, Efe Ajagba seems to be expecting a victory here tonight and has started to think about next moves:
I’m not overstepping. I’m just focused on Martin Bakole first. After that, when I get the victory, that’s when I’m going to step up to fight who I want to fight next. Whether it’s Usyk or Dubois.
Efe Ajagba
Efe ready to cause an upset
For Ajagba, this is a chance to finally validate his potential.
After being heralded as a future titleholder early in his career, the Nigerian puncher suffered a setback in 2021, losing a clear decision to the slick Frank Sanchez.
Since then, Ajagba has put together five straight wins, most recently edging Guido Vianello by split decision.
Still, questions remain.
Has Ajagba evolved since the Sanchez loss, or has he simply been matched wisely?
Bakole, even in his recent defeat, may prove to be the acid test.
Credit: Getty