The International Boxing Federation heavyweight title eliminator between Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole will now take place after February following its removal from the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch card.
The bout was initially scheduled to feature on the February 22 show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which already has seven major fights including IBF champion Daniel Dubois’ defence against Joseph Parker, but will now likely appear on the next major Riyadh Season bill.
Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti confirmed the new arrangement for the highly anticipated clash between Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) and Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs).
The fight carries added intrigue as Bakole, promoted by Boxxer, recently demolished another Top Rank prospect, stopping previously unbeaten Jared Anderson in five rounds last August.
Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom expressed enthusiasm for the matchup, which will determine the mandatory challenger for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title.
While there had been speculation about staging the fight in Africa, where Riyadh Season hopes to promote in 2025, sources indicate this is unlikely to materialise.
The IBF currently ranks Bakole third and Ajagba fifth, with the top two spots vacant. Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez, who outpointed Ajagba in 2021, occupies the fourth position.
