Lake Tahoe, NV, USA (November 1, 2023) - In the world of boxing, top heavyweights are always a crowd-pleaser, and a recent statement by Bob Arum, the boxing promoter, reflects this sentiment. Arum noted the Saudis' enthusiasm for heavyweight fights, particularly the wealthy elite who hold the purse strings. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted several heavyweight matches this past weekend.

Top Rank, Arum's promotion company, also recognizes the appeal of heavyweights. They have invested in a group of promising heavyweights, including Jared Anderson, Bakhodir Jalolov, and Richard Torrez Jr, who are considered valuable prospects for the future of the sport.

This Saturday, in northern Nevada, Top Rank is showcasing a heavyweight showdown as the main event. Efe Ajagba (18-1, 13 KOs) is set to face Joseph Goodall (10-1-1, 9 KOs). These two heavyweights previously crossed paths nine years ago at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where Goodall, hailing from Brisbane, Australia, won via a unanimous decision.

Ajagba, who represented Nigeria in the 2016 Rio Olympics, embarked on a professional career in the United States with high expectations. He has recently bounced back with three consecutive victories after suffering his sole defeat at the hands of Frank Sanchez, who outclassed him. Following that fight, Ajagba underwent surgery on both of his elbows.

Goodall, who stands slightly shorter than the six-foot-six Ajagba, made his U.S. debut in a fight that went largely unnoticed. However, his knockout of Stephen Shaw this past July at a Top Rank event in Shawnee, Oklahoma, garnered significant attention. Shaw, entering the fight with an 18-1 record and no prior knockdowns, was floored twice by Goodall before the match was stopped late in the seventh round.

An intriguing undercard bout on the ESPN+ show features Antonio Mireles, a towering six-foot-nine fighter with an 8-0 record and 7 knockouts, squaring off against Skylar Lacy, another imposing heavyweight at six-foot-seven with a 7-0 record and 5 knockouts. The fight is scheduled for 6 rounds.

Mireles, from Des Moines, Iowa, secured victory in the 2019 U.S. Olympic Trials in the super heavyweight division, defeating the top-seeded Jeremiah Milton. However, due to a complicated point system introduced amid the recent lock downs, Mireles missed out on a spot in the Tokyo Games, with the assignment going to Richard Torrez Jr, who went on to win a silver medal.

For the most recent updates check out Ajagba-Goodall fight page.

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