Efe Ajagba says his upcoming fight with Charles Martin carries a distinct meaning because he believes Martin already turned down a probability to face him once. Ajagba claims the 2 were speculated to spar last yr, but Martin declined, and that call stayed with him as their paths eventually led to an official bout.
Ajagba said he reached out while in camp and searching for southpaw work, hoping to bring Martin in for rounds. He expected the type of cooperation fighters often provide one another behind closed doors. As a substitute, Ajagba said Martin showed no interest unless Ajagba was specifically preparing for a left-handed opponent.
“We were speculated to spar last yr and he refused,” Ajagba said to Ring Magazine. “He said if I’m fighting a southpaw, let him know. I said, ‘I’m not fighting a southpaw, but [we can spar].’ And he refused. He didn’t wanna spar. He knows that. But here we’re — he desires to fight me in an actual fight. I used to be like, ‘Oh, I’m glad you accepted the fight.’ I used to be surprised.”
Ajagba never forgot the exchange, and the fight now gives him the chance to settle something he believes was left unfinished. Sparring often answers questions before fight night arrives. Ajagba believes those questions will now be answered in full view.
Ajagba enters following a majority draw against Martin Bakole last May, a difficult fight that kept him within the contender group and strengthened his confidence in his ability to compete at that level. He has stayed lively and positioned himself for opportunities like this one.
Martin returns at 39 after fighting once prior to now 31 months. The previous IBF heavyweight champion has shared the ring with Anthony Joshua, Luis Ortiz, and Jared Anderson, giving him experience against elite opponents whilst his activity slowed.
The fight headlines a Zuffa Boxing card on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on Paramount+. Ajagba enters as the favourite, but his focus reflects something more personal, as he prepares to face an opponent he believes selected to not face him when given the prospect.
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Last Updated on 02/13/2026