Martin demonstrated seasoned poise during the initial three rounds. He moved around, maintained distance, and compelled Ajagba to overextend. Ajagba pursued without positioning himself effectively, ignored his jab, and made his right hand obvious. Martin’s counter-punches connected precisely when Ajagba became open after striking.
To an experienced coach, the flaw was evident: a lack of disciplined jab usage, an absence of attacks to the body, and an overly erect posture when advancing.
Subsequently, the formidable power typical of heavyweights manifested.
Towards the close of the third round, Martin once more moved along the perimeter of the ring. Ajagba, for a change, established his footing correctly, delivered a direct right hand, and sent Martin crashing to the mat. That blow dramatically altered the atmosphere and the trajectory of the match. Martin managed to rise before the ten-count, but his equilibrium was disturbed, and his legs wavered.
Barely half a minute into the subsequent round, Ajagba exploited the identical opening. A concise right punch. Another knockdown.
On this occasion, Ajagba executed his offense deliberately. He re-established his stance, advanced protected by his leading shoulder, and unleashed compact sequences of punches. There were no superfluous blows, only consistent aggression and diverse attack angles. The official halted the contest at one minute, eleven seconds into the fourth round, as Martin endured unreturned, precise strikes.
Ajagba joined Zuffa Boxing following a contentious draw against Martin Bakole, a bout where many observers believed he had edged the decision. This particular performance was more conclusive. He demonstrated composure once he had Martin injured, indicating progress in his development.
In the heavyweight division, maintaining stability post-punch is crucial. Ajagba still possesses tendencies that require refinement. He needs to initiate attacks with his jab, build upon it, and incorporate strikes to the body to prepare for his powerful right hand instead of merely seeking it out. Facing more accomplished heavyweights, sacrificing initial rounds through foreseeable aggression will prove detrimental.
Nevertheless, such formidable striking ability opens up opportunities.
The heavyweight hierarchy within Zuffa is currently under construction. Defeating a previous title holder grants Ajagba a solid position in this competitive landscape and places him prominently in consideration. Should he stabilize his base after delivering blows, utilize a methodical jab, and combine body attacks to prepare his right hand, he represents a formidable challenger for their championship. Conversely, if he adopts an open stance, focuses solely on headshots, and relies solely on his power, experienced heavyweights proficient in managing distance will accumulate rounds against him.
The events of Sunday illustrated both aspects. The decisive factor was the right hand.
