Efe Ajagba vs Martin Bakole: Nigerian and Congolese heavyweights face off for African battle in Saudi Arabia

It was a fiery face-off between heavyweight contenders Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ajagba and Bakole clashed in the buildup to their highly anticipated May 3 showdown at the ANB Arena.

The event, captured in a charged moment showcased the intensity between the two fighters, setting the stage for a pivotal clash on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull super-middleweight title bout during the Riyadh Season festivities.

Bakole, the 32-year-old Congolese powerhouse, entered the face-off with a record of 21-2, boasting 16 knockouts.

Fresh off a recent setback—a second-round knockout loss to Joseph Parker in February 2025 Bakole is determined to reclaim his standing in the heavyweight division.

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30-year-old Nigerian boxer Efe Ajagba, known as "The Silent Roller," brought his own intensity to the encounter.

Ajagba, a feared knockout artist, has been on a resurgence since his lone loss to Frank Sánchez in 2021.

The face-off itself was electric, with the two fighters engaging in heated trash talk.

This clash is more than just a spectacle; it’s a high-stakes eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title, positioning the winner as a mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ belt, as ordered by the IBF in January 2025.