Ajagba, Bakole fight rescheduled for May 3
Heavyweight boxers Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole will now square off on May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after their originally planned New York headliner was rescheduled, with the fight set to take place on the undercard of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s super middleweight championship match.
The rescheduling comes in the wake of Bakole’s recent knockout loss to Joseph Parker in February, where the Congolese fighter was defeated in the second round after stepping in as a late replacement for an ill Daniel Dubois.
Despite the setback, Bakole has quickly accepted the opportunity to face Nigeria’s Ajagba, maintaining his position as a top-five heavyweight in multiple rankings.
An official involved in the deal confirmed the details to BoxingScene, noting that the fight will now be part of the high-profile Saudi Arabian boxing event.
Bakole, who stands at 21-2 with 16 knockouts, will be looking to bounce back from his recent defeat, while Ajagba brings a record of 20-1 with 14 knockouts to the ring.
Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua has backed Bakole to recover from his recent loss, stating, “Bakole believes in himself and he’s got every right to. He’s a serious fighter. That’s not the end, this is the heavyweight division.”
However, Joshua also threw his support behind his compatriot Ajagba to win the fight.
Bakole had previously impressed the boxing world with a fifth-round demolition of previously unbeaten American prospect Jared Anderson last August, while Ajagba has won his last five fights since his lone professional defeat.
Ajagba, nicknamed ‘The Silent Roller’, had previously taunted Bakole on Instagram, promising to “woop your as* the Naija way”.
The May 3 fight represents a crucial opportunity for both fighters to make a statement in the competitive heavyweight division.
The rescheduled bout will be part of a star-studded card headlined by Alvarez’s attempt to recapture his standing as an undisputed super middleweight champion. Bakole and Ajagba are expected to provide explosive undercard action, with both fighters known for their knockout power.
