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Ajagba claims Martin refused to spar before agreeing to the fight

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Image: Ajagba says Martin refused sparring before agreeing to fight

Efe Ajagba says his upcoming fight against Charles Martin has a different meaning because according to him, Martin has already turned down the chance to fight him once. Ajagba claims the two were supposed to spar last year, but Martin refused and that decision stuck with him as their paths eventually led to an official fight.

Ajagba said he sought facilitate during the camp, hoping to bring Martin on his rounds. He expected the kind of cooperation that fighters often provide to each other behind closed doors. Instead, Ajagba said Martin showed no interest unless Ajagba was specifically preparing for a left-handed opponent.


“We were supposed to spar last year but he refused,” Ajagba said 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 want to spar. He knows it. But here we are – he wants to fight me in a real fight. I thought, “Oh, I’m glad you accepted the fight.” I was surprised.”

Ajagba has never forgotten that exchange, and now the fight gives him the opportunity to settle something he felt was left unfinished. Sparring often answers questions before fight night arrives. Ajagba believes that we will now know the full answer to these questions.

Ajagba will enter the competition following a majority draw with Martin Bakole in May last year. After a complex fight, he remained in the group of contenders and strengthened his confidence in his ability to compete at this level. He stayed busy and prepared for opportunities like this.

Martin returns at the age of 39 after one fight in the last 31 months. The former IBF heavyweight champion shared the ring with Anthony Joshua, Luis Ortiz and Jared Anderson, giving him experience against elite opponents even as his activity declined.

The fight will headline the Zuffa Boxing gala at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on Paramount+. Ajagba enters as the favorite, but his focus reflects something more personal as he prepares to face an opponent he feels he chose not to face when he had the chance.

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Last update: 13/02/2026

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Frank Warren says Tyson Fury will do what Daniel Dubois did to Joshua

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Image: Frank Warren Says Tyson Fury Will Do What Daniel Dubois Did To Joshua

Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury will not only beat Anthony Joshua when the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens, but also stop him.

The All-British clash is scheduled for November, after a delay from its earlier summer date. Warren confirmed that Fury signed a contract for the fight in January, and both men are expected to undergo interim fights before the fight becomes official.


When asked how he sees the fight developing, Warren made it clear he expected Fury to win and pointed to Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois as a major factor.

“I think Tyson will win,” Warren told Secondsout, predicting a Tyson Fury knockout over Joshua.

“I think Tyson will stop him.

“Did you see him fight Daniel Dubois? That gives me that confidence. I was sure Daniel Dubois would do it and he did it, and I’m sure Tyson will do the same in brief order, no matter what catches him.”

Earlier in the interview, Warren also suggested that Joshua was still feeling the effects of the Dubois defeat.

“He has the specter and cloud of what happened when he fought Daniel Dubois hanging over him. So, you know, he’s vulnerable if he gets caught now,” Warren said.

Joshua is scheduled to return on July 25 against Kristian Pregna, while Fury is scheduled to fight his own warm-up fight before November. Warren said the location for the proposed blockbuster has yet to be determined, though he confirmed the fight remains signed and will likely take place later this year, provided both heavyweights win their fights.

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Last update: 2026/06/04 at 23:14

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World champion will be stripped of his title if he refuses to fight David Benavidez next: ‘That’s it’

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World champion to be stripped of title if he refuses to face David Benavidez next: “That’s it”

David Benavidez won the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles with his last fight, and the “Mexican Monster” may add to his collection in the future after one of the world champions was ordered to fight him under the threat of being stripped of his belt.

Last month I moved up from light heavyweight and dethroned Gilberto Ramirez in sensational styleBenavidez now holds the WBA (regular) and WBC featherlight heavyweight world titles, as well as his recently won unified cruiserweight crown.

As a result, the 29-year-old must decide whether he should return to the featherlight heavyweight scene or stay in the cruiserweight division, where he put in arguably the best performance of his career last time out after tuning out his fight with Jai Opetaia.

However, Benavidez was also named the WBC cruiserweight mandatory challenger and was ordered to fight WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, another who has been linked to a fight with Opetaia.

If Mikaelian refuses to defend the title against Benavidez, the WBC president announced in an interview for the WBC magazine that he would strip the Armenian of the belt. Boxing Scene.

“The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s all. If he fights again, he will waive his obligations to the WBC.”

“[There is no deadline] at this time. I will be talking to different managers. This is the highest priority. I look forward to making sure that happens.”

If Mikaeilian decides to continue the fight with Opetaia and thus lose the world title, it can be expected that Polish-born interim champion Michał Cieślak will benefit. Either he will be elevated to full world champion and ordered to make his first defense against Benavidez, or he will be included in a vacant belt fight against the three-division world champion.

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Peter Fury claims Tyson used the wrong tactics against Usyk

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Image: Tyson Fury's Social Media Post Keeps the Joshua Fight Fantasy Alive in the UK

“Well, he has his team there and I’m not criticizing anyone, but in both fights his tactics weren’t good,” Peter said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

“It worked out badly because look, if we have a little guy here who can throw, let’s say, a welterweight who can throw a thousand punches, and we have a heavyweight, will a heavyweight fighter throw a thousand punches with him? No.”

“Or maybe he’ll step in and take one good shot? Absolutely.”

“So basically yes, the strategy was just wrong. It doesn’t mean Usyk was better than him. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t say anything. You misunderstand the tactics and they are wrong.

“And you know, when you look at Usyk’s structure and what he does, when he distances himself and tries to box an elite boxer who is lighter than you and who is giving away pounds, he will ping you all over the shop. That should be noticed,” Peter Fury said.

Tyson Fury announced his return earlier this year and is expected to have a preparatory fight before the start of his scheduled series with Anthony Joshua. Queensbury promoter Frank Warren recently confirmed that Fury’s next opponent could be announced in the coming days, with the long-awaited fight against Joshua expected to take place later this year.

Usyk remains at the top of the heavyweight division and has been ordered to fight WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel. Warren also confirmed that negotiations for the fight are ongoing.

Fury’s third meeting with Usyk has not been announced. Peter Fury, however, remains convinced that the strategy used in the first two fights determined the result.

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