By Olu Allen
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) seems to have rolled up its sleeves and gotten into matchmaking mode.
Their latest order pits Martin Bakole against Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba in a heavyweight eliminator for the right to become the mandatory challenger.
Top Rank has already given the green light, confirming Ajagba is ready to rumble. But let’s not kid ourselves—this fight has “high-stakes slugfest” written all over it, with both men eager to throw leather for a shot at the big prize.
Meanwhile, the heavyweight scene refuses to stay calm. The WBC is dangling the tantalizing idea of an undisputed bout featuring the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch, possibly against the ever-looming Daniel Dubois.
Yes, Dubois, the man whose last outing ended in that controversial low blow against Usyk. Adding fuel to the fire, Eddie Hearn is already floating the idea of Anthony Joshua and Fury locking horns again—though we’ll have to wait till 2025 to see if this dream bout materializes.
If that wasn’t enough, Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker are reportedly on the radar for a Riyadh superfight. It seems the Saudi boxing money train isn’t slowing down, with heavyweight blockbusters being lined up like dominoes.
While the big boys dominate the headlines, the smaller divisions are cooking up their drama. Emanuel Navarrete is set to defend his WBO junior lightweight title against Oscar Valdez on December 7 in Phoenix.
Expect fireworks in this Mexican showdown because neither man knows the meaning of “caution.” And just in time for Christmas, Japan’s monster, Naoya Inoue, will gift fans another masterclass as he defends his undisputed super-bantamweight crown against Sam Goodman in Tokyo on December 24.
Over in the exhibition world, Ryan Garcia’s December 30 bout against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo is already in trouble—and it hasn’t even happened yet. A contract dispute threatens to pull the plug on the fight, leaving fans wondering if this latest exhibition circus will even reach the ring.
Meanwhile, Tevin Farmer, fresh off his split decision loss to William Zepeda, is crying foul. “I thought I won,” he says. But hey, boxing isn’t boxing without a little post-fight controversy.
In short, boxing’s rumor mill is alive and kicking harder than a Tyson Fury uppercut. From eliminators and title defenses to exhibition chaos and heavyweight matchmaking fantasy, it’s shaping up to be another rollercoaster ride for fight fans. Stay tuned—this sport never stops throwing punches, both in and out of the ring.
