Efe Ajagba vs Martin Bakole in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night was supposed to separate two of the aspiring contenders/pretenders in boxing’s heavyweight division – sadly it did none of that.
Ajagba (now 20-1-1) and Bakole (21-2-1) fought to a majority draw on the ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs William Scull undercard they called ‘Fatal Fury’ as part of Riyadh Season. The bout aired live on DAZN PPV.
For Ajagba it was a disappointing scenario in his first outing since winning a decision over the durable Guido Vianello in Texas in April 2024. For Bakole it was his first fight since being blown out by resurgent New Zealander Joseph Parker as a late stand-in on a February Saudi show.
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The result does not move either man forward in the heavyweight division pecking order, and both risk being overtaken by younger more talented operators – notably the Queensberry phenom Moses Itauma, seen by many as the future of the sport’s marquee weight class.
Fight report and analysis
The first eye-catching note of the evening was the weights. Ajagba was shredded at 240lbs (17st 2lbs), but Bakole – not shredded – came in a whopping 59lbs heavier at 299 (21st 5lbs). A weight different of more than 4 stones.
Ajagba looked the classier – and unsurprisingly the quicker – fighter in the early going. He set up a chopping right hand with his jab often in the early rounds, notably with a couple of lovely shots in the third.
Bakole though is nothing if not durable, and he hit back in Round 4 with a smashing left hook to the jaw of Ajagba as the Nigerian leaned back on the ropes.
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Ajagba continued to look the slicker operator and appeared to be banking rounds (the judges clearly had other ideas though) but he was again in trouble in Round 8 when Bakole once more had him on the ropes and hit home with a clubbing left hook. Efe’s corner were begging him to get off the ropes as blood smeared across his face and Bakole windmilled at close range.
The closing rounds provided more of the same with Ajagba looking to fight at distance and Bakole desperate to close the gap and fight in close.
Scorecards and results
Judge Kieran McCann scored the 10-rounder 96-94 for Ajagba with Pablo Gonzalez 95-95 and Bob Williams both having it a Draw 95-95. The result was a majority draw and both men get a draw added to their pro records.
Ajagba vs Bakole punch stats
Compubox, the bible of boxing fight stats, released the numbers after his heavyweight showdown.
The two men threw pretty much the same amount of shots, with Ajagba slightly more accurate with 190 of 451 landing (42.1%). Bakole meanwhile threw 460 and landed with 145 (31.5%). They were virtually dead level with power shots landed, while Efe was significantly stronger with the jab.
Watch fight highlights
You can watch the best moments from Ajagba vs Bakole by clicking below:
