Efe Ajagba earns majority Draw against Martin Bakole: No winner in Battle for Africa

Nigerian heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba fought to a majority draw against Congolese powerhouse Martin Bakole in a highly anticipated heavyweight bout.

The fight early on Sunday, MKay 4, 2025 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was part of the Riyadh Season festivities.

Both fighters vying for a shot at Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title, while also battling for the unofficial title of "African King" in the division.

Ajagba, known for his formidable punching power and resilience, entered the ring with momentum, having secured three consecutive victories following his sole professional loss to Frank Sanchez in 2021.

Bakole, a top-10 heavyweight contender with a reputation for durability and late-fight surges, posed a significant challenge with his experience and physicality.

The bout lived up to its billing as a clash of styles, with Ajagba’s precision and early dominance pitted against Bakole’s relentless pressure and late-round rally.

From the opening bell, Ajagba showcased his technical prowess, using his jab to control the range and landing crisp combinations that kept Bakole at bay.

The Nigerian fighter appeared to take an early lead, winning several of the opening rounds with his sharper boxing and effective counterpunching.

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Bakole, however, began to find his rhythm in the middle rounds, closing the distance and applying pressure with heavy body shots and powerful hooks that tested Ajagba’s resolve.

The final four rounds saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Bakole flipped the script, exposing some vulnerabilities in Ajagba’s defense.

The Congolese fighter’s aggressive approach paid dividends, as he landed significant blows that slowed Ajagba down and swung the crowd’s energy in his favor.

Despite the late surge, many observers felt Ajagba had done enough in the earlier rounds to secure the victory, with some scoring him ahead by as many as three to four rounds.

When the final bell rang, the tension in the arena was palpable as the judges’ scorecards were read.

The official scores were 95-95, 96-94 in favor of Ajagba, and 95-95, resulting in a majority draw.

The decision sparked immediate controversy, with a flurry of reactions on social media.