Confirmed: Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba May 3rd in Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - On May 3, 2025, the heavyweight division will deliver a high-stakes clash as Martin Bakole (22-1, 16 KOs) faces Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will take place on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull super-middleweight title bout.

This bout is more than just a heavyweight showdown—it represents a pivotal crossroads for both fighters. Bakole, still recovering from his recent knockout defeat to Joseph Parker, seeks redemption and a place back in the top tier of the heavyweight rankings. Meanwhile, Ajagba, a dangerous power puncher, looks to seize this opportunity to prove he belongs among boxing’s elite.

With both men ranked inside the top 10, the stakes are high. The winner will take a major step toward title contention, while the loser could face a significant setback in an already competitive heavyweight landscape.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bakole has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous and well-rounded heavyweights outside the championship scene. Standing 6’6”, he combines size, power, and technical skill.

Bakole’s resume includes victories over respected opponents such as Tony Yoka, Mariusz Wach, Sergey Kuzmin and Jared Anderson. One of his biggest statements came in May 2022, when he dominated and stopped French Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka, exposing the prospect as unprepared for elite-level opposition.

His rise, however, was halted in February when he suffered a crushing second-round TKO loss to Joseph Parker. Bakole was overpowered early and showed vulnerabilities that raised questions about his punch resistance and ability to recover from adversity. Before the Parker fight, many believed he was destined for a world title shot, but now he finds himself needing a big win to remain relevant among the division’s top contenders.

Despite the setback, Bakole still possesses formidable tools. He is a versatile and fluid combination puncher, capable of delivering hard shots in bursts while maintaining respectable speed for a heavyweight of his size. He has also shown resilience and adaptability in previous fights, demonstrating a willingness to engage in a firefight but also possessing the technical skills to outbox opponents when necessary.

The key question ahead of this fight is how much did his loss to Parker take out of him? A prime-form Bakole would be a solid favorite against Ajagba, but if his confidence or durability has been compromised, he could be in for another rough night.

Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba is widely recognized as one of the hardest punchers in the heavyweight division. The 6’6” fighter with an 85-inch reach is a dangerous knockout artist, with 14 of his 20 victories coming by stoppage.

Ajagba burst onto the scene with a string of highlight-reel knockouts, including one of the fastest wins in boxing history—when Curtis Harper walked out of the ring at the opening bell rather than face his devastating power.

Despite his knockout reputation, Ajagba’s career has had mixed results. His one professional loss came against Frank Sánchez in 2021, where he was thoroughly outboxed by the Cuban technician. Sánchez’s superior speed, footwork, and counterpunching neutralized Ajagba’s power, exposing flaws in the Nigerian’s defensive abilities and movement.

Since that defeat, Ajagba has bounced back with a five-fight winning streak, securing victories over Stephen Shaw, Zhan Kossobutskiy, and Guido Vianello. However, none of these opponents were considered top-tier, and questions remain about how Ajagba would fare against a battle-tested warrior like Bakole.

Ajagba’s strengths are clear—his raw power and ability to end a fight with a single shot make him a constant threat. However, his weaknesses are equally evident—his lack of defensive head movement, slow footwork, and struggles against mobile opponents. If he is unable to hurt Bakole early, he may find himself on the receiving end of a tactical breakdown.

This fight presents a compelling clash of styles. Bakole is the more skilled and well-rounded fighter, capable of mixing offense and defense effectively. He throws a varied arsenal of punches, uses solid footwork, and applies pressure in a way that could give Ajagba serious problems.

Ajagba, however, is the more explosive puncher. If he can land clean early, he has the ability to change the course of the fight in an instant. The concern for Bakole is whether his chin has been permanently cracked after the devastating loss to Parker. If he shows any signs of fragility, Ajagba will be ready to capitalize.

Key factors to consider:

• Bakole’s Punch Resistance: Can he take a clean shot from Ajagba without folding? If not, this could end quickly.
• Ajagba’s Defense: Can he improve his head movement and footwork enough to avoid Bakole’s combinations?
• The Early Rounds: If Bakole can weather the storm, he could start breaking Ajagba down with his superior boxing skills.
• Stamina & Pressure: Bakole has the better engine and work rate, which could come into play in the later rounds.

While Bakole should have the edge if he’s at his best, this fight remains a dangerous and unpredictable encounter due to Ajagba’s power.

Both fighters are on the fringes of world title contention, but only one will move forward. A win for Bakole would erase the doubts from his Parker loss and keep him in the mix for major fights against the division's elite. A loss, however, would push him further away from title opportunities.

For Ajagba, a victory would be his biggest career win and cement his status as a legitimate top contender. If he loses, he risks being seen as a gatekeeper rather than a true threat to the top operators.

This is a must-win fight for both men, and given their styles and urgency, fans can expect an explosive and action-packed showdown.

This fight won’t go the distance. With two powerful heavyweights desperate to make a statement, expect early fireworks.

If Bakole can recover from his last loss and fight with confidence, his combination punching, experience, and overall boxing ability should be enough to secure a mid-to-late stoppage. However, if he carries the mental scars of the Parker knockout, Ajagba could land his right hand and end the fight brutally.