Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba Ordered as Eliminator for Daniel Dubois’s Heavyweight Title by IBF

SPORTS

Zeenat Ali

7/22/20241 min read

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ordered Martin Bakole to fight Efe Ajagba in an eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title currently held by Daniel Dubois.

Bakole has yet to officially become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

However, his opponent for the eliminator has changed once again, with the IBF now directing him to face Ajagba for the right to challenge for the title.

Ajagba, currently ranked No. 7 by the IBF, will now compete against Bakole, ranked No. 4, as informed by Top Rank.

Bakole has looked dominant in his recent matches, stopping Jared Anderson and Carlos Takam in his last two bouts.

He is now targeting a shot at the IBF championship, which Dubois successfully defended with his win over Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September.

Following that victory, Bakole stated, "You don't stand with Martin Bakole. I am a big man, a machine, and no one wants to fight me."

Dubois is set to initiate a voluntary defense of his IBF title in February, with Joseph Parker being tipped as the potential opponent for the British world champion’s next fight.

The IBF previously stated that Dubois must defend his title by April 22, with a mandatory defense to take place within nine months against the leading available contender, as designated by the championship chairman.