IBF now order Bakole vs Ajagba as final eliminator

After originally ordering Martin Bakole vs Agit Kabayel as a final eliminator, there’s been a slight change in plans.

As Martin Bakole looks to hone in on a mandatory title fight against IBF champion Daniel Dubois, Sky Sports now reports that he’s been ordered face Efe Ajagba in a final eliminator match.

Agit Kabayel had originally been ordered for the final eliminator match but has since withdrawn. Top Rank confirms that Ajagba, ranked #7 with the sanctioning body, is available to take the fight, with #5 contender Zhilei Zhang expected to take a different fight.

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) is coming off a big knockout win over highly touted prospect Jared Anderson back in August, marking his fourth stoppage win in his last five appearances. Meanwhile Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) last scored a split decision win over Guido Vianello this past April.

As far as the style matchup goes, this is a fight highly unlikely to go the distance as Ajagba is a big, strong man with limited boxing skill, while Bakole is an even bigger man known to break down opponents.