Efe Ajagba Set to Face Charles Martin on February 15 in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV, USA - Top-10 heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba will return to the ring on Sunday, February 15, when he faces former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin at the Meta Apex.

Ajagba – Record: 20-1-1 (14 KOs) – enters the bout firmly established as a force in the division and widely regarded as one of the world’s leading heavyweight contenders. At 31, the Nigerian puncher remains on a world-title trajectory, bringing size, composure, and proven durability against elite-level opposition.

Standing opposite him will be Martin – Record: 30-4-1 (27 KOs) – a veteran southpaw who briefly held the IBF heavyweight title in 2016. Now 39, Martin comes into the fight outside the world top 30 and has struggled for consistency in recent years, alternating between long stretches of inactivity and sporadic appearances against both contenders and journeymen.

On paper, the matchup strongly favors Ajagba. He holds clear advantages in age, activity, rankings, and momentum, and will be expected to dictate the fight with his jab, physical strength, and measured pressure. For Ajagba, the bout represents a continuation fight — one designed to keep him active while maintaining his position among the division’s upper tier.

However, Martin’s presence adds a degree of unpredictability. A naturally large heavyweight with a southpaw stance and underrated left-hand power, Martin has shown in the past that he can disrupt expectations when allowed to settle into a rhythm. If he can summon a sharp, motivated version of himself, the former champion remains capable of making the contest uncomfortable — particularly in the early rounds.

Ultimately, the fight hinges on execution and urgency. A disciplined Ajagba performance should see the younger contender grind down the veteran over time, while Martin’s chances depend on producing a rare peak showing at this late stage of his career.

The February 15 bout adds another heavyweight date to the early-2026 calendar, with Ajagba continuing his push toward the sport’s elite and Martin fighting to prove he still belongs on the world stage.