Efe Ajagba Intensifies Training for Bakole Showdown in Saudi Arabia

Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba has ramped up preparations for his May 3 bout against Martin Bakole in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, training with British boxer Johnny Fisher to refine his strategy.

The clash, now part of the undercard for Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull, marks a pivotal moment in Ajagba’s bid to rise in the heavyweight rankings.

Training Regimen: Ajagba sparred with Fisher (nicknamed The Romford Bull) on March 22, leveraging the British fighter’s rugby-honed conditioning and boxing experience to simulate Bakole’s aggressive style

Fight Context: Originally slated for New York, the bout lost its IBF eliminator status after Bakole’s second-round knockout loss to Joseph Parker in February. Despite this, Bakole remains a top-five ranked heavyweight.

Ajagba’s Confidence: The Nigerian (20-1, 14 KOs) declared, It’s my time to shine. The Silent Roller can’t wait, on Instagram, taunting Bakole with “woop your as* the Naija way.

Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs), though defeated in his last outing, retains support from Anthony Joshua, who called him a serious fighter.

The Congolese boxer seeks redemption after stepping in as a late replacement for Daniel Dubois against Parker.

Global Stage: The Riyadh event, part of the FATAL FURY fight night, offers Ajagba his first professional bout outside the U.S. and a chance to impress a global audience.

Ajagba’s victory could propel him toward a world title shot, while Bakole aims to rebuild his reputation. The bout’s outcome will hinge on Ajagba’s precision against Bakole’s resilience.