Efe Ajagba overpowered former world champion Charles Martin in a ruthless fourth-round stoppage win in Las Vegas.
The Nigerian (21-1-1, 15 KOs), who placed on 15 kilos of muscle in his coaching camp, adopted two early knockdowns with three vicious proper fingers, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to wave off the struggle as Martin sagged towards the ropes.
After a reasonably evenly contested first spherical edged by Ajagba’s laborious hitting rights, it was former IBF title holder Martin who regarded sharper within the second, touchdown a number of lefts as he displayed extra velocity than his bulked up opponent.
Former heavyweight champion Charles Martin suffered his fifth skilled defeat
The third spherical, although, noticed Ajagba begin to take management when a vicious proper hook despatched Martin to the bottom, following the knockdown with a flurry of punches which left Martin on the ropes.
A second knockdown within the fourth teed up Ajagba to complete Martin off and safe an announcement victory that cements his standing as an actual contender for the world title.
Martin in the meantime, is dropping additional and additional out of the image as he suffers a fourth loss in his final eight fights.
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Efe Ajagba had displayed his punch energy in a KO win over Joseph Goodall in 2023
“I’m ready to fight anyone in the division,” Ajagba mentioned after the struggle. “I am ranked within the prime 10, however nobody is saying my identify.
“I’m putting the heavyweight division on notice.”
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