Former IBF heavyweight titleholder Charles Martin says he’ll rely on a proven formula when he headlines his Zuffa Boxing debut Sunday night against ranked contender Efe Ajagba.
Martin is trained by 1984 Olympic gold medalist Henry Tillman, who twice defeated Mike Tyson in the Olympic Trials with a disciplined, box-first approach. That foundation, Martin believes, is tailor-made for a dangerous puncher like Ajagba. “When you can move like a cruiserweight and hit like a heavyweight, it’s an amazing feeling,” Martin said. “It’s a great combination to be a puncher-boxer.”
At 6ft 5ins, Martin is typically the bigger man, but he gives up an inch in height to Nigeria’s 6ft 6ins Ajagba who remains ranked by the WBC and IBF. Ajagba has never been stopped, a fact Martin views as motivation rather than deterrence. “That makes it better, because nobody can have any excuses when I knock him out or stop him,” Martin said. “It’ll be so much sweeter.”
Ajagba, whose only blemishes are a 2021 loss to Frank Sanchez and a draw with Martin Bakole, is equally confident. “I don’t have respect for [Martin],” he said. “He’s the one who needs to respect me.” The Nigerian contender insists he won’t leave the outcome to the judges and plans to systematically break Martin down. “I’ll touch him and touch him, and wear him out,” he added.
Martin, after limited activity since July 2023, says the layoff has restored his focus. “Before, I was getting hit with so much money. I lost focus of the big picture,” Martin admitted. Now, he believes discipline and experience will carry him through. “I don’t see how it’s going to last 10 rounds,” he said. “If I’m hitting you enough times, how are you going to be able to stand up?”
Image Credit: Sky Sports