The International Boxing Federation has ordered Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole (21-1-0, 16KOs) to face Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba (20-1-0, 14KOs) for the right to become the mandatory challenger for its heavyweight title.
The IBF decision came as a result of Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang’s withdrawal from the fight against Bakole, paving the way for Ajagba to step in.
Ranked No. 4 in the IBF standings, Bakole has been on a dominant run, with his most recent victory coming against Jared Anderson in August.
After the emphatic win, the Congolese fighter declared his intent to dominate the division, stating, “You don’t stand with Martin Bakole. I am a big man, and I am a machine. No one wants to fight me.”
Ajagba, who occupies the No. 7 spot in the IBF rankings, has readily accepted the challenge, signalling his readiness with a confident “Let’s go.” on the social media post confirming the fight.
The Nigerian boxer, nicknamed “The Silent Roller,” boasts a formidable record and has been touted as one of the top emerging forces in the heavyweight division.
This matchup sets the stage for a clash of two hard-hitting heavyweights, each with their sights set on a world title opportunity. While Bakole’s power and aggressive style have earned him a reputation as a dangerous contender, Ajagba’s resilience and precision make him a formidable opponent.
The winner of the bout will secure the position as the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title, currently held by Daniel Dubois. Dubois is scheduled for an optional title defence in February, with a unification bout against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch potentially on the horizon.
Ajagba’s rise to prominence has been closely watched, particularly after earning the WBC silver title earlier this year. His clash with Bakole is expected to be a true test of his credentials as a future world champion.
As the heavyweight division continues to heat up with high-profile matchups, the encounter between Bakole and Ajagba promises to deliver fireworks, with both fighters determined to cement their place among boxing elite.