It is not every day that a fighter earns worldwide praise even after getting knocked out in the second round. Well, Martin Bakole got that when he replaced Daniel Dubois on the biggest card of the year in Riyadh against Joseph Parker. Yes, he lost the fight in just 2 minutes 17 seconds, but his courage to step in on just two days’ notice impressed everyone and sort of elevated him. Furthermore, the circumstances of the matchup ensured his momentum remained intact.
However, there was one downside. Earlier, his scheduled bout against Efe Ajagba
on the William Scull card was an IBF final eliminator. After his loss to Parker, that title opportunity has been stripped from the fight, raising the stakes for both fighters to seize this moment and make a statement.
Efe Ajagba, the hard-hitting Nigerian, has been on a roll recently and will do everything to get back in the ranks. Something he has been desperately trying to do since his loss to Frank Sanchez in 2021. The recent popularity of Bakole gives him an ideal opportunity to get a decisive victory and thrust himself back into the title conversation.
With the pressure mounting, let’s break down how these two heavyweights stack up as they prepare to collide at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on May 3, 2025
Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba: Stats Comparison and Prediction
Aside from his loss against Joseph Parker, Bakole boasts a pretty stellar career so far. Since turning pro in 2014, the Congolese heavyweight has fought 23 times, securing a 21-2 record. His first loss came against Michael Hunter in 2018 via a unanimous decision, with the second being the short-notice loss to Parker in 2025. A fight, Bakole might not even view as a true setback.
Known for his devastating power, Bakole has racked up 16 knockouts, giving him an elite-level KO ratio of 76.19%. A record that even elites would be proud of.
However, if we are talking about a professional record, Efe Ajagba is not far behind. Despite making his pro-debut 3 years later in 2017, the Nigerian has nearly matched Bakole’s fight count. Furthermore, if the Congo national had not taken the Parker fight, the duo would have had only one bout separating them.
With 21 fights in his career, Ajagba has lost only one and has a record of 20-1. That loss came against Frank Sanchez in 2021 via a unanimous decision. However, the Silent Roller jumped back immediately, winning 5 consecutive bouts on the trot. This got him back in the title contender conversation.
While Ajagba also has immense power, his knockout record is slightly less intimidating than Bakole’s. Of his 20 wins, 14 have come by KO, translating to a still-impressive 70% KO ratio. Continuing to be an intimidating figure.
If their strikingly similar professional records make this fight tough to call, their physical attributes only muddy the waters further as they gear up for the bout.
Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba height, weight, reach comparison, and more
Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba are strikingly similar in their physical profiles. The two stand at an imposing 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), and are close in age. Bakole at 33 and Ajagba at 31. However, the Nigerian holds a slight edge in reach, measuring 85 inches compared to Bakole’s 82 inches. If the fight progresses at a good pace, those 3 cm can make a huge difference. This 3-inch difference could prove pivotal if the fight maintains a steady rhythm, allowing Ajagba to keep Bakole at bay.
According to their record and KO rate, the duo loves to finish fights early. While they have gone the distance several times, an early knockout victory will be the ideal scenario for both of them. Furthermore, they have been on a great run recently. Before his fight against Joseph Parker, Martin Bakole defeated Jared Anderson via a 5th-round knockout. On the other hand, Ajagba is coming off a hard-fought victory against Guido Vianello via a split decision. Furthermore, since his loss to Sanchez in 2021, only two of his total five fights have gone to the distance.
At the weigh-ins, Ajagba tipped the scales at 241.5 pounds for his bout against Vianello, consistently staying within the 235-242-pound range throughout his career. Martin Bakole, by contrast, is significantly heavier. While the 33-year-old weighed a whopping 315 lbs against Parker, his average weight on fight day came up around 280-290 lbs. This weight advantage could translate into a considerable power edge for the Congolese fighter.
The betting odds reflect that disparity. According to Box. Live Bakole is the clear favorite at 1/5 (-500), while Ajagba, the underdog, sits at 3/1 (+300). It is not just about power, but Bakole’s experience at major stages. This will be his second fight in Riyadh Arena, giving him an edge in handling the pressure well. Unless Efe Ajagba pulls a rabbit out of his pocket, Martin Bakole should win this fight. However, given the Nigerian’s toughness, a knockout seems like a far cry.
Our Prediction: Martin Bakole via unanimous decision.
Who is your pick amongst these two juggernauts? Let us know your thoughts down below.
The post Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba Stats, Comparison and Prediction: Record, Age, Height, Reach, Weight, and Knockout Ratio appeared first on EssentiallySports.