Martin Bakole is still slated to box against Efe Ajagba in May, according to promoter Ben Shalom, even after his recent knockout loss to Joseph Parker last month.
Bakole stepped in at the last minute to replace Daniel Dubois, the IBF world champion, who had to withdraw from his title defense on February 22 due to illness, and face Parker.
The heavyweight contender was already scheduled to fight Ajagba in a world title eliminator but accepted the Parker fight, traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Riyadh on short notice.
Despite his efforts, Bakole suffered a second-round stoppage, but he will now have the opportunity to quickly recover and refocus on his fight with Ajagba.
Bakole is expected to be on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s super-middleweight title fight against William Scull in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 3.
‘I believe May 3rd is the target date, and we hope to announce it officially within the next week,’ BOXXER CEO Shalom told Sky Sports.
‘Canelo in Riyadh makes sense, considering the time zone and the magnitude of the event.’
Bakole’s record stands at 21-2 following his recent defeat, while Ajagba is 20-1, last fighting in April when he defeated Guido Vianello.
‘He’s in good spirits and eager to get back in action,’ Shalom mentioned. ‘My priority was to ensure he gets back in the ring quickly for a fight he can properly prepare for.’
‘I still maintain that he’s an incredibly dangerous heavyweight, and now he needs to demonstrate that.’
It’s not yet confirmed if the Ajagba fight will remain a final eliminator, as Bakole’s loss to Parker may have slightly affected his ranking.
However, a significant win would quickly put him back into contention.
‘The fight is confirmed, and Ajagba is the opponent,’ Shalom stated.
‘We will coordinate with the boxing organizations to determine the status of the fight. He hasn’t dropped significantly in rankings, and those in boxing understand the circumstances. I’m excited to see what he can do with a full training camp.’
‘He’s one fight away from being back in the title picture, but Ajagba is a formidable opponent, and the pressure is on Bakole to perform and win. This is a crucial fight for his career, and he’s aware of that.’
Despite the loss, Bakole received praise for taking the Parker fight on short notice, aiming to elevate his profile on a high-profile boxing event.
Although the risk didn’t pay off, Shalom is confident that with proper preparation, Bakole can remind everyone of his threat in the heavyweight division.
‘His management urged me to make this fight happen, and I did my job,’ Shalom said. ‘It was a bold move, reflective of his character, and it has resonated with fans.’
‘Initially, the challenge was to make Martin Bakole known, and now he is.’
‘It was a major talking point when he was caught on the head; it could happen in any fight.’
‘He has secured significant financial gains, but hopefully, with proper preparation, he can secure the fights he deserves.’
