Efe Ajagba signs with Top Rank

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just in...

[oogiebe]

That's great. Now let's see him progress.

[oogiebe]

He's also changed trainers. From Ronnie Shields to Kay Koroma.

Ajagba: “I made this decision to become a better boxer and to advance my career,” Ajagba said. “That’s why I signed with James Prince and Top Rank. When I return to the ring soon, you will see a new Efe Ajagba. Kay Koroma and I are working on my head movement and defense, as I seek to become a more well-rounded fighter.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Efe Ajagba Signs With Top Rank; Changes Trainer From Shields To Koroma

The significant changes Efe Ajagba has made to his promising career are official.

Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. announced Wednesday that it has signed Ajagba to a promotional deal. Ajagba also confirmed in the announcement that he has changed trainers, from Ronnie Shields to Kay Koroma, and has hired prominent manager James Prince to represent him.

The Nigerian heavyweight prospect previously was promoted by Richard Schaefer’s Ringstar Sports and fought on Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions cards.

“I made this decision to become a better boxer and to advance my career,” Ajagba said. “That’s why I signed with James Prince and Top Rank. When I return to the ring soon, you will see a new Efe Ajagba. Kay Koroma and I are working on my head movement and defense, as I seek to become a more well-rounded fighter.”

Prince and Ajagba announced on Instagram last month that they have teamed up. Ajagba didn’t mention then, though, that he would sign with Top Rank and change trainers.

The up-and-coming Koroma trains former IBF/IBO/WBA 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd and is an assistant trainer for former WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Shields is a respected veteran trainer who works with WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and WBA super bantamweight champ Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The 6-feet-6, 240-pound Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs), a 2016 Olympian for his native Nigeria, will make his Top Rank debut on an upcoming card to be determined either on ESPN or ESPN+, the network’s streaming service. Many of Ajagba’s bouts have been broadcast by FOX, FS1 and Showtime since he turned pro in July 2017.

“Efe Ajagba is one of the most gifted young heavyweights I’ve seen in quite some time,” Arum said. “He has immense physical tools and a great work ethic. I have the utmost confidence that we’re looking at a future heavyweight champion.”

The 26-year-old Ajagba’s power has made him a fan-friendly fighter over the past three years, but his defensive deficiencies have made him vulnerable at times.

From Boxing Scene

[Cent0089]

I think he progressed pretty well under PBC. Let see how it will be under TR

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Gnome]

I'm having a case of Mandela syndrome here. I was sure Efe Ajagba lost his most recent bout, but in this dimension he is undefeated! Weird haha.

[oogiebe]

I'm having a case of Mandela syndrome here. I was sure Efe Ajagba lost his most recent bout, but in this dimension he is undefeated! Weird haha.

Who in your mind beat him?

[Gnome]

I'm having a case of Mandela syndrome here. I was sure Efe Ajagba lost his most recent bout, but in this dimension he is undefeated! Weird haha.

Who in your mind beat him?

No idea. I was sure he had lost, I must have got confused with him being put down by Kiladze.

[oogiebe]

I'm having a case of Mandela syndrome here. I was sure Efe Ajagba lost his most recent bout, but in this dimension he is undefeated! Weird haha.

Who in your mind beat him?

No idea. I was sure he had lost, I must have got confused with him being put down by Kiladze.

Meh...I've done worse.

[JxhDel.]

Good, I have a subscription for TR on Fite and I am interested in him.

[Enlightened-One]

A weird move. Top Rank's stable of heavyweights is relatively weak.

I wonder if Bob Arum is acquiring beatable heavyweights for Tyson Fury to defend his titles against, so that Top Rank doesn't have to play ball with anyone affiliated with DAZN or the PBC?

[margaret thatcher]

Which hws does TR have now anyway. Is it

Fury
Pulev
Rivas
Ajagba
Agit (he was announced as signing and is on their website, but not much seems to have happened with that)
Yoka
Takam
Jah Anderson
Guido
Sonny


Takam would be a good opponent for him

[Ruthless-RKO]

[oogiebe]

Heard that Shields did the split out of loyalty to Finkel.

[margaret thatcher]

lol Shelly runs these bois doesnt he, speaking for them, got them splitting from each other now too

[jujigatame]

Is Jennings a promotional free agent these days? He would be a very good test for Ajagba.

[oogiebe]

lol Shelly runs these bois doesnt he, speaking for them, got them splitting from each other now too

Money, Money, Money.

[oogiebe]

Is Jennings a promotional free agent these days? He would be a very good test for Ajagba.

Big fan of Efe, but he needs to test what he's learning in the ring before stepping up to a Jennings.

[margaret thatcher]

Maybe Shields was afraid Shelly would come beat his ass if he didn't split from Efe too

[jujigatame]

Is Jennings a promotional free agent these days? He would be a very good test for Ajagba.

Big fan of Efe, but he needs to test what he's learning in the ring before stepping up to a Jennings.

Would normally agree but Jennings is nearly 36 and on the decline, I think it would be a pretty even fight.

[margaret thatcher]

I mean Slow Joe beat BJ without having fought really any challenge before

[oogiebe]

I mean Slow Joe beat BJ without having fought really any challenge before

Joe, at the time, was still more advanced than Efe is right now. If Ajagba is 'learning' he should apply that in a real fight without must risk before facing Jennings. Maybe a couple of fights down the road.

[margaret thatcher]

I mean Slow Joe beat BJ without having fought really any challenge before

Joe, at the time, was still more advanced than Efe is right now. If Ajagba is 'learning' he should apply that in a real fight without must risk before facing Jennings. Maybe a couple of fights down the road.

Do you think that Joe beats today's Efe?

[oogiebe]

I mean Slow Joe beat BJ without having fought really any challenge before

Joe, at the time, was still more advanced than Efe is right now. If Ajagba is 'learning' he should apply that in a real fight without must risk before facing Jennings. Maybe a couple of fights down the road.

Do you think that Joe beats today's Efe?

Yeah, I do. I was higher on Efe a few fights back.