By Oyebade Eniola (SIWES student, Ibadan Poly)
Nigerian heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba displayed his formidable punching power and skill by securing a knockout victory over Trey Lippe Morrison during the third round of their match in Nevada.
The match took place at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada, showcasing Ajagba’s prowess in the ring.
In another noteworthy event, Efe Ajagba, the WBC silver heavyweight champion, sought redemption in a rematch against Joe Goodall, an Australian fighter.
The fight was held in Nevada, and it ended in the fourth round of the 10-round main event.
Referee Tony Weeks decided to halt the contest 50 seconds into the fourth round, deeming it too unsafe for Goodall to continue due to numerous unanswered punches from Ajagba.
With this victory, Ajagba’s record now stands at 19 wins and 1 loss, with an impressive 14 knockouts to his name. On the other hand, Joe Goodall’s record suffered a setback, now showing 10 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 9 of his victories coming by knockout.
Notably, this marked the first time in Goodall’s five-year professional career that he was stopped within the distance.
The rematch between Ajagba and Goodall served as an opportunity for Ajagba to avenge his prior loss to Goodall at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Since that time, Goodall had achieved a significant win over Stephan Shaw in July, further intensifying their rivalry.
Ajagba had previously faced off against Stephan Shaw, securing a victory in a 10-round bout in January, with the judges scoring the fight in his favor.
Shaw’s record stands at 18 wins, 2 losses, and 13 knockouts. In the fourth round of the rematch with Goodall, Ajagba’s powerful right hand shook his opponent, prompting an aggressive assault from Ajagba until the referee stepped in to halt the fight, ensuring Goodall’s safety.
