Efe Ajagba stops Charles Martin to put heavyweight division on notice

Efe Ajagba stops Charles Martin in heavyweight headliner

WBC #6 Efe Ajagba (21-1-1, 15 KOs) dropped former IBF world heavyweight champion Charles Martin (30-5-1, 27 KOs) in rounds three and four at Zuffa Boxing #03 on Sunday, February 15, at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Referee Thomas Taylor stopped the contest at 1:11 in round four of a scheduled 10. Martin was backing away, but getting hit with too many left and right hands from the Nigerian Olympian.

It's a third defeat in his last five for Missouri's Martin, who lost his world title eight years ago to Briton Anthony Joshua in what was the second shortest heavyweight world title reign in history.

For Ajagba, 31, he is unbeaten in his last seven contests since his sole pro career defeat to Frank Sanchez in 2021.

Ranked WBC #6, IBF #13, IBO #10, Martin will be looking to land a world title shot soon, but will need another win to get into pole position. Possible potential opponents include Lawrence Okolie, Filip Hrgovic, Jared Anderson, or a rematch with Frank Sanchez.

There were also wins on the undercard for Umar Dzambekov (14-0, 10 KOs), Oswaldo Molina (9-0, 4 KOs) and Leo Ruiz (17-1, 9 KOs).