Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has been named among Top Rank’s top boxers to watch in 2025.
The promotional company released a video featuring Ajagba alongside five other promising boxers, including France’s Christian Mbilli and Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas.
The 30-year-old Nigerian, who boasts a record of 20 wins (14 KOs) and just one defeat, is preparing for a crucial International Boxing Federation heavyweight title eliminator against Martin Bakole.
The Big Bout Against Bakole
The bout, which will determine the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title, was initially scheduled for the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch card on February 22 in Riyadh but has been moved to a later date.
Top Rank Vice President Carl Moretti confirmed the new arrangement for the highly anticipated clash.
“It’s agreed to,” Moretti said. “In Riyadh. It was supposed to be on the February show but they moved it off. So I anticipate it will be on whatever the next show is after February.”
Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom expressed enthusiasm for the matchup between Ajagba and Bakole.
“That’s a fight that we’d like to put on,” Shalom said.
“Obviously Martin’s fought on Riyadh Season cards and I’m sure they’d be interested again, but it’s a fight we’d like to put on, more because he’s one fight away now from fighting for a world title.”
Top Boxers to Watch in 2025
The IBF currently ranks Bakole third and Ajagba fifth, with the top two spots vacant. The Congolese boxer’s stock has risen considerably following his demolition of previously unbeaten American Jared Anderson last August.
Other fighters featured in Top Rank’s top boxers to watch in 2025 list include:
- Americans Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KOs),
- Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KOs).
- Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs).
Meanwhile, the winner of the Ajagba-Bakole bout will be in line for an IBF title shot with champion Dubois.
Furthermore, Dubois is scheduled to defend against Joseph Parker, and a potential unification bout against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch is on the horizon.
