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The Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba round-by-round updates are here. They provide fans with real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming heavyweight clash. It pits two monstrous punchers against each other, and neither man will end the night content with anything less than a violent win.
For Bakole, the stakes are high and the bout will be a proving ground for him. Much of his reputation has hinged on him being a juggernaut with an unbreakable chin and nuclear heat in his hands. Unfortunately, his boogeyman image was shattered by Joseph Parker.
The pair clashed for the interim WBO heavyweight title in late Feb., with Parker stopping a short-notice Bakole within two rounds. Bakole will be determined to rebound from the defeat. Meanwhile, Ajagba, who is famous for his bizarre win over Curtis Harper, who simply walked out of the ring, it is an opportunity.
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Bakole is the biggest possible name for him to face, and a win would do wonders for his career and extend his current five-fight win streak. Unfortunately, he isn't expected to win, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing Bakole as a -380 favorite, while Ajagba is a +285 underdog.
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The main card starts on May 3 at 7:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 4:00 PM P.T. (Pacific Time) for Americans, 12:00 AM B.S.T. (British Summer Time) for U.K. fans, and 2:00 AM A.S.T. (Arabian Standard Time) for Saudi fans. The Bakole vs. Ajagba fight is anticipated for 8:00 PM E.T. / 5:00 PM P.T. / 1:00 AM B.S.T. / 3:00 AM A.S.T.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the upcoming heavyweight clash.
Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba
Round 1: The fight opens with immediate pressure from Bakole, who is landing body jabs. Ajagba, however, responds in kind. More pressure from Bakole, who lands jabs to the body and upstairs. A patient start so far. Ajagba with a one-two, but he's struggling to keep Bakole off of him.
More body jabs, this time from Ajagba. Bakole, though, fires back with his own. Neither man is committing to much for the time being. They're trading jabs and body jabs thus far, with Bakole being on the front foot. Bakole with a snappy jab. He sits down on a double jab to the body.
A decent three-punch combination lands for Ajagba, who closes the round out with a good right hand.
Our Score: 10-9 Bakole
Round 2: Bakole on the front foot, throwing a left hook that hits the glove. For a brief moment, Ajagba pressures him back, landing jabs to the body. However, Bakole regains the initiative. Ajagba is using lateral movement to lead Bakole around the ring. Jabs from Bakole, landing to the body.
Bakole has Ajagba trapped against the ropes, but does nothing with it. He lands to the body again and barely misses a right cross. Another jab finds the mark for Bakole. Pawing jabs to the body for Ajagba. Meanwhile, Bakole returns fire with his own jabs.
This is a tough round to score.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 19-19 overall
Round 3: Stiff jabs from Bakole to start the round. He backs Ajagba to the ropes, landing jabs to the body. Ajagba returns fire with a good right cross. Another big right hand from Ajagba, followed by a one-two, but Bakole walks through it all. Yet another right hand from Ajagba, who is now on the front foot.
Bakole's knees buckled, but he's back to pressuring Ajagba. Jabs and a right hand from Ajagba. The first clinch of the bout takes place and they break. Bakole with a good jab. Both men trade near the ropes, with Ajagba making him miss. However, a heavy left hook lands for Bakole, who unloads with a combination.
They end the round trading, with Ajagba's back to the ropes.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 29-28 Ajagba overall
Round 4: Ajagba is landing well, but Bakole is throwing caution to the wind right at the start, trying to walk him down. Bakole is throwing, but nothing is landing clean. A big left hook lands for Bakole, who strings together a nice combination. Ajagba has done nothing in this round thus far.
Bakole is just coming forward without fear of consequence, landing heavy shots. He's fighting back now, but Bakole keeps smothering him. Bakole sneaks an uppercut in, splitting Ajagba's high guard. A leaping left hook from Bakole seems to have wobbled Ajagba, who is trapped against the ropes.
Bakole is blasting him with combinations, but Ajagba manages to escape and land some good one-twos. More pressure from Bakole, and they end the round clinching.
Our Score: 10-9 Bakole, 38-38 overall
Round 5: Bakole starts the round in typical fashion, applying pressure. He eats a jab to the body, and another. Bakole might be taking a breather, while Ajagba is jabbing at range. Now Ajagba is on the front foot with Bakole against the ropes. Jabs land for Bakole, who seems to be breathing heavier now.
He may have punched himself out in the previous round. Jabs from Ajagba, who is still on the front foot. Bakole is either taking this round off or he's tired. A big right hand lands for both men, with Ajagba landing the heavier shot.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 48-47 Ajagba overall
Round 6: Immediate pressure from Bakole, while Ajagba lands a combination to the body. Body jab from Bakole, who is trash-talking Ajagba, trying to goad him into trading in the middle. Ajagba is moving well, circling, and sniping Bakole with a one-two. More jabs from Ajagba.
However, he just can't seem to dissuade Bakole from coming forward, who lands a jab. That jab immediately bloodied Ajagba's nose. Ajagba, though, lands a good jab, followed by a sneaky check hook. Bakole with a hard right hand.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 58-56 Ajagba overall
Round 7: Bakole wastes no time in pressuring Ajagba back, but he eats a one-two. A counter-right hand lands for Ajagba. Bakole isn't setting anything up and he's just throwing and overextending. Jabs and one-twos land for Ajagba, but he's having a much harder time staying off the ropes this round.
Bakole is on him but out of ideas. He finally lands something, a jab. More jabs from Bakole, while Ajagba lands a check hook. A good one-two lands for Bakole though. However, Ajagba fires off a counter. Body shot lands for Ajagba.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 68-65 Ajagba overall
Round 8: Big pressure from Bakole, who is storming forward, almost running after Ajagba. However, he's getting countered on his way in because he's not cutting off the ring. Ajagba is making him miss. Combinations to the body land for Ajagba, while a frustrated Bakole trash-talks him, begging him to meet him in the middle.
A big left hand lands for Bakole, with Ajagba finding a home for his right. Bakole is just following him around, missing and eating counters. However, Bakole finally corners him and lands some big shots against the ropes, but Ajagba is eating them well. Ajagba clinches and the referee breaks them up.
Body shots land for Ajagba, but Bakole lands a big right hand to end the round.
Our Score: 10-9 Ajagba, 78-74 Ajagba overall
Round 9: They start the round clinching. They break and Bakole starts landing well, but Ajagba is firing back. They clinch again and the referee separates them. Bakole is stringing combinations together, but he's not landing clean. He lands a jab and backs Ajagba up to the ropes.
A one-two lands for Ajagba, but Bakole lands a combination. Another clinch ensues and they break. Jabs land for both men, but Bakole catches him with a one-two. He has Ajagba against the ropes and lands a few body shots. The stoppage, though, just isn't there.
Ajagba is running out the clock, but Bakole peppers him with jabs.
Our Score: 10-9 Bakole, 87-84 Ajagba overall
Round 10: Bakole is quick to get on the front foot. Ajagba lands a one-two to the body, followed by jabs upstairs. They clinch and break. Bakole is backing him up but desperately needs a knockout. Double jab lands for Bakole. Both men trade shots, with Bakole landing a two-punch combination.
A stiff jab lands for Bakole. By contrast, Ajagba is moving on the outside, circling, landing the occasional jab. He's giving up the round, aware that he's ahead on the scorecards. Bakole is following him around, and eats another one-two to end the round.
Our Score: 10-9 Bakole, 96-94 Ajagba overall
Official Result
Majority draw (96-94, 95-95, 95-95)
