This is a preview of Efe Ajagba vs Frank Sanchez – you can click here for a report and scorecards after Sanchez won a comfortable victory by unanimous decision.
Saturday October 9, 2021 really is the night of the heavyweights, and Efe Ajagba vs Frank Sanchez adds another fascinating element to what should be a pivotal night in boxing’s marquee weight class.
These two exciting and unbeaten heavyweights, both ranked in the top 15, will meet on the Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 card in Las Vegas.
As well as this showdown and the one between ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ the card also features Robert Helenius vs Adam Kownacki 2 and highly-touted Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson continuing his heavyweight education.
Quite simply, what a night. Here is all we know ahead of this huge Ajagba vs Sanchez showdown. Somebody’s 0 has got to go…
When is Ajagba vs Sanchez?
Ajagba vs Sanchez will take place on Saturday October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This after the planned July 24 date was cancelled when Fury and members of his team tested positive for COVID-19 just over two weeks out.
Ring walks for Fury vs Wilder 3 are expected between 2300-0000 ET (2000-21000 PT and in the UK 0400-0500 Sunday).
With this in mind we expect ring walks for Ajagba vs Sanchez to be between 2200-2300 ET (1900-2000 PT and in the UK 0300-0400 Sunday).
Ajagba vs Sanchez on TV: channel and live stream details
UK fight fans can watch Efe Ajagba vs Frank Sanchez on BT Sport Box Office in the UK with the PPV cost set at £24.95.
In the United States the show will be a joint pay-per-view between ESPN and FOX, with pricing set at $79.99.
What is at stake?
Like we said, somebody’s 0 will go on Saturday October 9. Both men are currently unbeaten and it is somewhat unusual to see exciting heavyweights with perfect records meet at this stage in their career. But great to see at the same time.
It’s absolutely a crossroads fight. Whoever wins will be set for a move up to fighting the elite of the division, while the loser might have to regroup a little. But depending on the nature of the result, both men could win in the end.
What are the odds?
Sanchez is slight favourite in the early odds, but it is still incredibly close – we are almost into pick ’em territory. Frank is a 4/7 shot with Ajagba currently trading around the 17/10 mark with the draw at 16/1.
The weights
The weigh-in for Ajagba vs Sanchez took take place in Las Vegas on Friday October 8, 2021 and Sanchez hit the scales first, weighing in at 240lbs (17st 2lbs). Ajagba meanwhile was even lighter, tipping the scales at 237lbs (16st 13lbs).
Efe Ajagba record
Efe Ajagba was born in Ughelli, Nigeria on April 22, 1994 and he is now 27 years old. He has a perfect 15-0 professional record with 12 of those victories coming inside distance. He is currently ranked #9 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Ajagba has impressive measurables, standing 6ft 6ins tall (1.98m) with a reach of 85ins (2.16m).
Now based in Stafford, Texas, Ajagba has been promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank for his last two fights. The first of those was a slightly disappointing decision over Jonathan Rice in Las Vegas. Disappointing that is until Ajagba revealed afterwards that he had been suffering with elbow problems.
The Nigerian star was back to his best in his last outing – a highlight-reel knockout of Brian Howard in Tulsa in April.
Efe had a distinguished amateur career before turning pro in 2017 – he claimed a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and defeated fellow pro prospect Junior Fa en route.
Ajagba also holds one very unusual record – the fastest victory in professional boxing history. He defeated Curtis Harper after just one second in Minneapolis in August 2018 when his opponent walked out of the ring in a dispute over pay.
Frank Sanchez record
Frank Sanchez was born in Guantanamo in Cuba on July 18, 1992 and he is now 28 years old. He stands 6ft 4ins tall (1.93m) and has a reach of 78ins (1.98m).
Sanchez, trained by man of the moment Eddy Reynoso, has a perfect professional record of 18-0 with 13 of those victories coming inside distance. He is currently ranked #6 by the WBO, #13 by the WBC and #14 by the WBA.
Frank, nicknamed ‘The Cuban Flash’, turned professional in 2017 and has since racked up 18 victories in impressive fashion. He has good speed and technical skills as well as being able to bang.
His last outing ended in farcical circumstances (not his fault) against Nagy Aguilera on the Canelo vs Saunders undercard in Arlington, Texas in May. Sanchez prevailed by technical decision after a punch grazed the back of Aguilera’s head in Round 6 – resulting in Nagy hitting the deck and rolling around theatrically.
