Ajagba was scheduled to fight against Colombian contender, Oscar Rivas, who pulled out after suffering an injury while training in December
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian boxer and 2016 Olympian, Efe Ajagba, recorded a unanimous decision victory against formerly unbeaten American, Stephan Shaw in the early hours of Sunday, January 15.
The 28-year-old Nigerian achieved the feat against the St Louis native at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York, United States.
Ajagba was the aggressor for most of the 10 rounds, whereas Shaw seemed reluctant to engage with the hard-hitting heavyweight contender in what was the main event fight of the night.
The victory means Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs), has now won a second straight fight since Cuba’s Frank Sanchez beat him in the seventh round of a 10-rounder fight that was part of Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder undercard in October 2021.
ALSO READ: Cech queries Fernandes’s derby goal against Man City
In the uneventful encounter, the Silent roller as Ajagba is fondly called, stayed behind the jab using his reach to connect with Shaw’s face.
Shaw, on the other hand, used the ring well looking for the left hook, as Ajagba on several occasions closed in looking for a massive right.
The American, despite the backing of the home crowd, was unable to capitalise on the biggest opportunity of his nine-year professional career as Ajagba dominated most of the fight.
According to CompuBox, Ajagba landed more jabs 90 of 350 while Shaw landed 48 of 237.
The American connected with the biggest shots recording 30-of-104 compared to 21-of-80 for Ajagba.
Ajagba landed 33 more punches overall than Shaw (111-of-430 to 78-of-341).
After 10 rounds of boxing, Judges Eric Marlinski, John McKaie and Don Trella all recorded an identical 96-94 unanimous decision victory for the Nigerian.
Speaking to Top Rank after the fight, Ajagba explained that his jab which kept Shaw back was the key to the fight.
He said, “I went back to the corner and they told me to let my hands go, keep throwing punches, my jab.
“I controlled the fight, so that’s how I won the fight. He tried to land the big shots.
“I watched him to see what he was going to do. He kept throwing the jab, using the jab more.”
Ajagba underwent surgery on both elbows following his loss to Sanchez in 2021, but has since then beaten Hungarian challenger, Jozsef Darmos.
Shaw took the fight against the Nigerian without hesitation even with less than one month’s notice, he was supposed to fight Italian prospect, Guido Vianello.
Ajagba too was scheduled to fight against Colombian contender, Oscar Rivas, but he pulled out after he suffered an injury while training in December 2022.
