Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder were all name-checked this weekend by a heavyweight who believes he is a key part in the sport’s ‘new chapter.’
Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing staged its third fight night in less than a month this past weekend at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, a card topped by heavyweights Charles Martin and Efe Ajagba.
Ajagba – a strong favourite – put former world champion Martin down in rounds three and four before referee Thomas Taylor stepped in to call a halt to the action.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, the 31-year-old from Nigeria said he wants ‘top ten’ names next.
“It doesn’t matter. Usyk, Tyson Fury, Wilder – it doesn’t matter to me. I’m willing to fight anybody in the top ten.”
Ajagba – who bounced back from a 2021 loss to Frank Sanchez with five wins before a contentious draw with Martin Bakole last year – being active is a good addition to the scene, but the real intrigue lies in whether Zuffa can deliver on his ambition.
White has made it clear that his goal is to make a Zuffa belt be the top prize in the sport, showing little interest in working with the four major sanctioning bodies unless necessary. Usyk currently holds three of those titles – the WBC, WBA and IBF – though his next move in unclear.
Fury makes a comeback in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov and has sights set on a trilogy with the Ukrainian or a shot at WBO champion Fabio Wardley. Wilder has also named Usyk as his ideal opponent, but must get through a clash with Derek Chisora first.
As such, Ajagba may face a lesser name for the inagrual Zuffa heavyweight championship, something Jai Opetaia will do in the cruiserweight division next month.
