Efe Ajagba, the Nigerian heavyweight boxer, has launched a scathing attack on fellow countryman and former two-time world champion, Anthony Joshua, asserting that Joshua “won’t last long” in a hypothetical match-up between the two. Ajagba’s aggressive stance contrasts sharply with Joshua’s recent show of support for him during his bout with Martin Bakole, creating a palpable tension and stoking the flames of what appears to be a burgeoning rivalry within the heavyweight division. This contentious relationship stands in stark contrast to the camaraderie often witnessed between African athletes in combat sports, exemplified by the mutual respect and refusal to fight each other displayed by former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya.
Ajagba’s confidence borders on disdain, as he predicts not only a victory against Joshua but a decisive one, claiming he’d inflict a worse beating than the one Joshua suffered at the hands of Daniel Dubois in September 2024. The 31-year-old Ajagba, boasting a 20-1-1 record with 14 knockouts, remains undeterred by his recent majority draw against Martin Bakole, maintaining his ambitions for a title shot and increasingly fixating on a showdown with Joshua. This unwavering focus on Joshua, combined with his disparaging remarks about the former champion’s Nigerian heritage, fuels the narrative of a deeply personal rivalry.
The heart of Ajagba’s animosity seems rooted in his perception of Joshua’s connection to their shared Nigerian heritage. He has repeatedly questioned Joshua’s “Nigerian-ness”, arguing that Joshua, having spent most of his life in the UK, hasn’t truly experienced Nigeria and is therefore not a “real Nigerian”. He dismisses Joshua’s recent training sessions in Nigeria, attended by enthusiastic local supporters, as mere social media stunts, further emphasizing his own claim as the “original Nigerian.” This pointed critique of Joshua’s identity and connection to their homeland adds another layer of complexity to the potential clash, moving beyond mere sporting ambition and into the realm of cultural identity and national pride.
Joshua, for his part, has previously expressed support for Ajagba, highlighting their shared African roots and expressing a desire to see him succeed. Prior to Ajagba’s bout with Bakole, Joshua praised both fighters and explicitly backed his fellow countryman, emphasizing the significance of two African giants colliding in the ring. Ironically, Joshua acknowledged Ajagba’s lack of reciprocal support, stating, “I’m going to support Efe, even though he doesn’t support me.” This public endorsement, juxtaposed with Ajagba’s dismissive and even hostile rhetoric, sharpens the contrast in their attitudes and underscores the growing animosity between them.
The divergent paths of these two Nigerian-born heavyweights further contribute to the intrigue. Ajagba, ranked No. 10 by The Ring magazine, is on an upward trajectory, having won five consecutive fights before his draw with Bakole, and has openly declared his championship aspirations. He believes he possesses the necessary skills, power, and abilities to reach the pinnacle of the heavyweight division. Joshua, on the other hand, finds himself at a crossroads following his loss to Dubois. At 35, time is not on his side as he attempts to rebuild his career and reclaim his former glory. A fight against a younger, hungry contender like Ajagba could be a high-stakes gamble for Joshua, offering a chance for redemption or potentially accelerating his decline.
The potential clash between Ajagba and Joshua transcends a simple boxing match; it represents a collision of contrasting narratives. It’s a clash between a rising star eager to establish his dominance and a former champion striving to recapture past glory. It’s a clash between two individuals with differing interpretations of their shared Nigerian heritage. And most significantly, it’s a clash fuelled by a growing animosity that contrasts sharply with the spirit of camaraderie typically seen among African combat sports athletes. The boxing world waits with bated breath to see if this simmering rivalry will culminate in a highly anticipated showdown in the ring, a match that promises to be explosive both inside and outside the ropes.
