Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba scheduled for May

Good matchup. Both are big, strong and durable.

I'm not sure who will win, although I'm leaning toward Bakole. Bakole has been a little overrated because of his win over Anderson, he's no George Foreman, but he's a very strong puncher and has good punch variation.

 

The thing is though is that neither Parker or Dubois depending on who wins will fight their mandatory they will be expecting a big fight vs Usyk.

So depending on who wins this mandatory fight they will be likely waiting until the summer of 2026 for a title shot.

 

Can't believe people think Ajagba has a chance lol

 

It's the IBF. They may strip their title holder if he refuses to defend.

 

Probably this
But the winner will be happy to go for Usyks belts. Good on Dubois for winning a belt, but it's a paper championship while usyk is active

 

Better be available on DAZN or ESPN. That’s all I’m saying.

 

May??? We are i January. There has been speculation about this fight since november, and now they fight in May.....Bakole has **** poor management wasting his best year away...pathetic!

 

May ??? Four extra months of Bakole telling us about his sparring wars

 

Solid fight.

I think Ajagba will really study the Anderson fight, and try not make the same mistakes as Anderson did and thus put forth a spirited and better effort, but I think Bakole will have too much for Ajagba and will get the late TKO.

 

Surprises me too. Ajagba has some decent skills and solid power, but he's way too hittable, stiff and fragile to beat Bakole.

 

Anyone heard anything about this fight being announced? It's been few weeks since Turki confirmed it, but there is nothing official yet.

 

The date people mentioned was May 2nd in New York, the day before Canelo vs Scull. It could get announced next week during the Saudi card, perhaps.

 

Honestly anyone here rated Bakole that highly before he beat anderson in his last fight? It’s like now he beat anderson he’s suddenly the most feared an most avoided heavyweight in the world

 

I'm surprised it's a final eliminator. Chisora/Wallin was an IBF eliminator, so I thought this would be just another eliminator and then the winner of both eliminators fight it out for the mandatory position.

Both hit very hard and are easy to hit, but only one seems to have a decent chin. But who knows, Bakole's never really been in the ring with a big puncher like Ajagba so maybe Ajagba can pull off the upset. But I have to favour Bakole to KO Ajagba.

 

Bakole is the favourite going into this, but his defense is largely his chin, and Ajagba can bang so he could definitely win this.

I saw the IBF said that Dubois can voluntarily defend against Parker if he fights his mandatory after that. In my mind that sounds like the IBF will strip him if he beats Parker and fights Usyk for undisputed instead, or would they let it slide?

Also if Parker wins, will he be beholden to that promise that Dubois agreed to, or would he have a bit of a grace period regarding his mandatory?