Connect with us

Featured Articles

Nigerian Heavyweight Efe Ajagba May Yet Prove to be As Good As Advertised

Published

on

Nigerian-Heavyweight-Efe-Ajagba-May-Yet-to-Prove-to-be-As-Good-as-Advertised

The heavyweight division is the glamour division of boxing, but it is also the mustiest. Very few heavyweights under the age of 30 appear on the current top-10 lists of the major sanctioning bodies. Exceptions include Efe Ajagba (29) and Jared Anderson (24), ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, by the WBC. Both will be in action on April 13 on a Top Rank/ESPN card in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ajagba has lost two of his last 21 fights. The first of those setbacks came at the 2016 Rio Olympics where he was outpointed by Kazakhstan’s Ivan Dychko, a fellow who would leave the amateur ranks with two Olympic bronze medals. The second came in his sixteenth pro fight where he lost a 10-round decision to Cuban import Frank Sanchez, another boxer with a deep and distinguished amateur background.

As pros, Dychko and Sanchez are both undefeated. However, one could argue that Ajagba — who didn’t take up boxing until he was in his late teens — has made greater strides. He would be favored to defeat Dychko if they were to meet up again and would be no worse than “pick-‘em” in a rematch with Frank Sanchez, notwithstanding the fact that the Cuban won comfortably on the scorecards.

Ajagba has won four fights since his match with Sanchez, but of greater import from a handicapping standpoint, he had surgeries on both elbows. “I couldn’t let my hands go as freely as I wanted to,” he says about the Sanchez fight.

Ajagba was born and raised in Ughelli which is in the Delta region of Nigeria. He was the only Nigerian boxer to advance to Rio, the others on his team thwarted in the Olympic qualifiers. Although he failed to medal, he caught the eye of Hall of Fame facilitator Shelly Finkel, an agent for Al Hayman’s Premier Boxing Champions. PBC set him up with an apartment in Stafford, Texas, a suburb of Houston, home to the noted trainer Ronnie Shields.

To say that Shields was impressed by his new charge was an understatement. “What we have here, gentlemen, is a future world heavyweight champion,” he said, or words to this effect. Ajagba reminded Shields of a young George Foreman. An associate of Shields, strength and conditioning coach Danny Arnold, likened Efe to Jadeveon Clowney who went from being the top defensive end in college football to the top overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. (Arnold was very familiar with Clowney who spent his first five NFL seasons in Houston.)

If Shields’ prophecy were to be fulfilled, Ajagba would become Nigeria’s first heavyweight champion. (Anthony Joshua has Nigerian roots but was born and raised in England.) But should that happen, it’s doubtful that Shields will be there to celebrate the moment. Ajagba’s relationship with PBC eventually soured. When their contract expired, Top Rank swooped in and Kay Koroma replaced Ronnie Shields as Efe’s head trainer.

Efe Ajagba allows that America has been good to him. He married a girl from Dallas and they have two children, a four-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. He’s made enough money to send a portion of it home to his family in Ughelli where he grew up with six siblings and worked in a bakery before finding his niche in the sweet science. As for other sports, he grew up playing soccer and has been following the fortunes of the Seattle Seahawks for the very good reason that he has a family connection. Jordyn Brooks, the Seahawks standout linebacker (a free agent reportedly headed to the Dallas Cowboys), is his brother-in-law.

Asked his opinion of the May 18 mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, Ajagba picked Usyk without hesitation simply because he regards the Ukrainian as the better boxer. Moreover, he doesn’t believe that the cut that Fury suffered in sparring was sufficient to push the fight back three months from its originally scheduled date of Feb. 17. “He knew he needed more time to get in shape,” he says, a declaration that certainly won’t sit well with Bob Arum who also has a promotional tie to the Gypsy King.

Efe Ajagba can crack with both hands. In April of 2021, in his second bout with Kay Koroma, he knocked Brian Howard unconscious with one well-placed right hand. A week ago, it was a short left that flattened a sparring partner during a session at Bones Adams gym with this reporter in attendance.

Ajagba’s opponent on April 13 is Guido Vianello. It’s an interesting matchup between two former Olympians who each have of only one loss at the professional level.

They previously fought on the same card at Turning Stone. On that night, Vianello was well ahead on the scorecards in his match with Jonnie Rice when he suffered a bad gash over his left eye in the sixth frame. In the following round, during a break in the action, the ringside physician stopped it.

In his most recent outing, Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs) blew away overmatched Moses Johnson in the opening round on the undercard of Foster vs. Nova at Madison Square Garden.

What’s interesting is that Vianello, apparently dissatisfied with the way that Top Rank was moving him, pushed for this fight when he could have chosen an easier assignment. It’s a crossroads fight for the Italian who was raised in an upper-middle-class home in Rome and has many options when he chooses to hang up his gloves.

Those that anointed Efe Ajagba a champion-in-waiting had egg on their faces when he was out-boxed by Frank Sanchez. However, that may ultimately prove to be just a bump in the road for the formidable Nigerian.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles23 hours ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles20 hours ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles23 hours ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending