Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba and Congolese contender Martin Bakole fought to a dramatic majority draw in a highly anticipated showdown on Sunday morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout, held at the ANB Arena, went the full 10 rounds, with judges scoring it 95-95, 94-96, and 95-95. One judge narrowly sided with Ajagba, while the other two declared the contest even, resulting in a majority draw that left fans and analysts divided.
Bakole, considered a slight favourite heading into the fight, was looking to bounce back from a devastating second-round knockout loss to Joseph Parker earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ajagba entered the ring riding a five-fight winning streak, aiming to bolster his comeback after a 2021 defeat to Frank Sánchez.
The 30-year-old Nigerian carried a professional record of 20 wins (14 by knockout) and just one loss. His recent dominance, including a convincing win over Guido Vianello last April, showcased his continued growth and ambition. Speaking to Sky Sports before the fight, Ajagba expressed confidence in his trajectory: “I have the abilities, I have the skills, I have the power—everything to become a heavyweight champion.”
Despite bookmakers heavily favouring Bakole at 1.27 (-400) versus Ajagba’s 3.30 (+330), the Nigerian proved his resilience in a tightly contested battle that could have gone either way.
The fight was featured on the undercard of Canelo Álvarez’s clash with William Scull and represented a pivotal moment for both fighters as they chase a world title opportunity. With unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois currently holding the top spots in the division, the draw leaves both Ajagba and Bakole with more work to do.
Although neither fighter delivered the defining performance needed to move decisively up the rankings, their ambitions remain firmly intact as they continue to navigate the fiercely competitive heavyweight landscape.
