fight week

Heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba will take on undefeated Stephen Shaw in the 10-round main event on Saturday night on ESPN and ESPN+.

when: Saturday, January 14
time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PST (main event later in the show)
Where: Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York
tv/stream: ESPN, ESPN+
Split: Heavyweight (unlimited)
Dangerous: No main title
Pound for Pound Ranking: none
odds: even number (average of multiple stores)
on the card: Guido Vianello vs. Johnny Rice, heavyweight.Adam Lopez vs. Abraham Nova, Junior Lightweight
predict: Ajagba KO 8
Background: Efe Ajagba continues his comeback against undefeated substitute Stephen Shaw in the ESPN main event. Ajagba is a Houston-based Nigerian known for his physique (6 foot 6) and punching power. The 28-year-old had a booming run until October 2021 when he was completely overtaken by Frank his Sanchez. He rebounded in his only fight since the second-round knockout of Joseph Dalmos in August. Ajagba was scheduled to face Oscar Rivas, but Rivas withdrew due to his eye injury. Shaw, who was scheduled to fight on the undercard, agreed on two weeks’ notice to step up to face a taller young contender.Shaw has been busy, and he fought three times last year. He had an eight-round shutout against his Rydell Booker in November. However, he only entered the 10th round when he was scheduled, and that was more than three years before him. This is the biggest chance for his 30-year-old product of St. Louis, who turned pro in 2013.