For years, the whispers around Martin Bakole have grown louder, ominous, and intimidating.
Dubbed "The Boogeyman", the Congolese heavyweight didn’t earn that nickname through clever marketing or flashy soundbites — he earned it the hard way.
By bulldozing through opposition and putting grown men to sleep in brutal fashion.
Following a lone blemish in 2018 at the hands of Michael Hunter, Bakole didn’t sulk or disappear. He roared back with a vengeance, stringing together a commanding 10-fight win streak and positioning himself on the cusp of title contention. But in boxing, reputations are fragile. And the monster aura surrounding Bakole took a massive hit recently.
In a last-minute decision that reeked of bravado, Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) stepped in to face former WBO champion Joseph Parker. The fight ended in disaster. Bakole, sluggish and underprepared, was stopped in just two rounds — a sobering reminder that heart alone doesn’t beat pedigree.
Enter Efe Ajagba.
The Nigerian knockout artist isn’t letting Bakole’s resume — or the myth surrounding him — cloud his judgment. In fact, he’s tired of the noise. The aura. The “Boogeyman” tag.
“He’s not dangerous,” Ajagba told iFL TV with conviction. “I’m the dangerous one.”
It’s not just talk from Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs). Since suffering a clinical outclassing by Frank Sanchez, the 6'6" puncher has kept his head down and rebuilt from the ground up. Five wins, some by stoppage, others by decision — all while quietly refining his craft and waiting for the boxing world to pay attention.
But attention has been scarce.
Despite nearly a decade in the pro ranks and holding a place inside The Ring's top 10 heavyweights, Ajagba hasn’t sniffed a world title shot. He's been boxing's best-kept secret. Until now.
This Saturday, that all changes.
As the co-main event on a massive Canelo Alvarez card — one of the sport's most watched nights — the spotlight will finally beam down on the silent destroyer from Nigeria. And Ajagba knows exactly what’s at stake.
“Nobody knows who I am until Saturday night,” he said. “They will know who Efe Ajagba is.”
Against Martin Bakole, it's not just about rankings or belts. It’s about reputation. It’s about proving whose power is real. And who’s just been living off myth.
One thing is certain: when the bell rings, the time for talking is over. And only one boogeyman walks out alive.
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