IBF downgrades Bakole-Ajagba fight

• Boxing body seeks next step for heavyweight title eliminator

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) will continue with the proposed Martin Bakole versus Efe Ajagba fight, but with reduced stakes, reports ringmagazine.com.

Dubois, The Ring’s No. 2 heavyweight contender, was due to defend his belt against Parker, but fell ill late in fight week and withdrew from the contest.
Parker instead risked his interim WBO title against Bakole, who accepted the fight on barely 48 hours’ notice.
 
The Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and head of Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh, assured Bakole that he would move forward with his planned fight against Ajagba, The Ring’s No. 10 heavyweight contender. Their bout is part of a tripleheader that will serve as Ring Magazine’s first-promoted card in the U.S.
 
Bakole is the highest-ranked IBF heavyweight contender at No. 3. That status will likely change after his recent defeat. Who the IBF contacts to fill the void will likely depend on their next monthly ratings update in early March. Frank Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) is currently No. 4, followed by Parker, Ajagba, former two-time unified heavyweight titlist, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs), Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) and Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs).

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