Efe Ajagba In Line For World Title As IBF Gives Anthony Joshua’s Conqueror, Dubois ‘ Optional Defence’ Option
Nigeria’s knockout specialist Efe Ajagba waiting time for a World Title shot might be very close as the IBF has told current champion Daniel Dubois, he can go for optional title defence, where he can pick anyone of the top 15 ranked boxers for a mandatory title defence of which Efe Ajagba falls within the rank.n
Daniel Dubois camp revealed that nothing is certain that Anthony Joshua will activate the immediate rematch with Dubois.
According to sky sports,talks for a rematch between Dubois and Joshua in early 2025 have been put on hold amid concerns from Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn about the fast turnaround’ and it’s a chance for Ajagba could emerge as a replacement opponent for Dubois.
IBF President Daryl Peoples confirmed that Dubois ‘can make an optional defense against any ranked fighter before April 22′ of which Ajagba is well qualified for the fight with just one loss in 20 bouts, ranked 8th on the IBF scale.
With 14 knockouts in 20 wins, Ajagba would be a threatening opponent in a big showdown with Dubois, who has 21 knockouts in his 22 wins and the boxing world would be thrilled if it happens as both boxers are evenly matched pounds for pounds as well as in energy for something new in the heavyweight rank especially when It is uncertain Anthony Joshua is open for a quick rematch with his conqueror.
Frank Warren, the promoter of Dubois, has confirmed his fighter will defend his IBF title against a different challenger, if Joshua is not ready for a rematch.
“He is the champion and it’ll be done on his terms,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“Daniel will defend his title in February and if it’s not Joshua then it’ll be against somebody who is ranked in the top five.”
Hearn had admitted that Joshua’s could require longer preparation time for a second fight against Dubois.
“Our concern at the moment is just timing,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
“You’ve got a few little niggles, you get them looked at and then you can’t punch again for four, five weeks.
If we’re going to fight him in February, we need to start camp in about three weeks’ time. It’s quite a fast turnaround.”
The IBF regulations state the champion “shall be obligated to mandatorily defend his championship within intervals of no more than nine months against the leading available contender in the heavyweight division as designated by the championships chairman”.
The IBF has, however, stated that Dubois would be free to pursue a unification bout after this date.
The only unification fight available to Dubois would be against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch and thus a shot at the undisputed heavyweight title.
Usyk will fight Fury in Saudi Arabia on December 21, with the WBC, WBO and WBA belts at stake.
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