RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The highly anticipated all-African heavyweight bout between Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole ended in a majority draw on Saturday at the ANB Arena. The decision left fans and fighters questioning who holds the title of Africa’s top heavyweight.
Both fighters entered the ring targeting not just victory but also a shot at the world heavyweight title. Judges Bob Williams and Pablo Gonzalez scored the match evenly at 95-95, leaving no winner to claim dominance.
Nigerian boxer Efe Ajagba (20-1-1, 14 KOs) expressed his disagreement with the result, stating, “I won the fight. But it’s not up to me; it’s the judges’ decision. If you ask me, I won the fight.” His opponent, Bakole, echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “I thought I won the fight, but it is what it is. I will ask His Excellency if I can have the rematch.”
Before the match, Bakole paid tribute to boxing legend George Foreman, who passed away last month, by wearing a t-shirt that read “RIP George Foreman.” Bakole, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, proudly sported his country’s flag on his shorts, linking his heritage to one of Foreman’s most famous fights, the Rumble in the Jungle.
This match marked Bakole’s second fight in Riyadh in just ten weeks after stepping in as a late replacement against Joseph Parker on February 22, where he suffered a quick stoppage. He emphasized the significance of this matchup against Ajagba, asserting, “This is the real fight after a full camp.”
The fight began cautiously, with both fighters taking their time to assess each other’s strategies. Ajagba, lighter by 59 pounds, utilized his footwork to maintain distance, while Bakole occupied the center of the ring. The first round ended without notable action but set the tone for the contest ahead.
As the bout progressed, Ajagba landed effective right hands but Bakole’s pressure began to rise in the later rounds. He consistently sought to thwart Ajagba’s movement, yet the Nigerian adeptly avoided serious damage and capitalized on counterpunching opportunities.
The tension escalated in the eighth round, where Bakole finally trapped Ajagba along the ropes and landed a significant left hook. However, despite Bakole’s aggressive play, Ajagba managed to evade further punishment, demonstrating his defensive skills.
In the final rounds, Bakole continued his pursuit but Ajagba’s tactical fighting kept him out of reach. The closing moments of the bout consisted of Ajagba moving skillfully around the outside while Bakole attempted to corner him.
When the judges’ decision was announced, Ajagba stated, “Of course I want the rematch.” The anticipation for a possible second encounter looms large, as both boxers remain eager to settle the dispute over who is the true heavyweight champion of Africa.
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