Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba and Congolese fighter Martin Bakole ended their much-anticipated bout in a dramatic majority draw early Sunday at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.
The ten-round encounter, featured as part of the undercard for Canelo Álvarez’s showdown with William Scull, concluded with two judges scoring the fight 95-95, while a third narrowly favoured Ajagba at 96-94.
The outcome surprised fans and pundits alike, especially with Bakole entering the ring as the slight favourite.
The contest carried significant implications for both fighters. For Bakole, it offered a chance to bounce back after a crushing second-round knockout loss to Joseph Parker earlier in the year.
For Ajagba, it was an opportunity to extend his five-fight win streak and build on his April 2024 victory over Guido Vianello.
Ajagba, 30, entered the ring with a professional record of 20 wins—14 by knockout—and a single loss to Frank Sánchez in 2021.
In a pre-fight interview with Sky Sports, the Nigerian declared: “I have the abilities, I have the skills, I have the power—everything to become a heavyweight champion.”
Despite being considered the underdog with odds of 3.30 (+330) compared to Bakole’s 1.27 (-400), Ajagba proved a worthy match, engaging in a balanced showdown filled with hard-hitting moments, strategy, and determination from both fighters.
The draw leaves both boxers at a pivotal point in their careers as they continue to pursue a world title shot in a division led by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois.
Although neither fighter secured a definitive victory, the bout reaffirmed their places among the top contenders in the heavyweight division.
As reactions pour in, momentum is building for a possible rematch to settle the unresolved contest.
What you should know
Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole fought to a majority draw in a key heavyweight clash in Riyadh, with neither man able to pull away in the judges’ scorecards.
The result highlights their potential and keeps both firmly in the hunt for a title shot. A rematch is already being discussed among fans and analysts.
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