Heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba has a new team.
Top Rank announced on Wednesday that it has signed the undefeated 26-year-old to a long-term promotional agreement. Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs) also has enlisted the services of manager James Prince and head trainer Kay Koroma.
Ajagba had been managed by Shelly Finkel and was trained by Ronnie Shields.
“I made this decision to become a better boxer and to advance my career,” Ajagba said in a press release. “That’s why I signed with James Prince and Top Rank.”
The 6-foot-6, 240-plus-pound Ajagba is expected to make his debut under the Top Rank banner sometime this year.
“When I return to the ring soon, you will see a new Efe Ajagba,” he said. “Kay Koroma and I are working on my head movement and defense, as I seek to become a more well-rounded fighter.”
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is already impressed.
“Efe Ajagba is one of the most gifted young heavyweights I’ve seen in quite some time,” Arum said. “He has immense physical tools and a great work ethic. I have the utmost confidence that we’re looking at a future heavyweight champion.”
Ajagba is ranked in the Top 15 by two of the major governing organizations. It should be interesting to see if he can put himself in the conversation led by Top Rank fighter Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder as the best heavyweights in the world.
There’s no doubting Ajagba’s power, as six of his 11 knockouts have come in the first round. He also famously holds the record for the fastest win in boxing history. Curtis Harper walked out of the ring one second after the bell tolled for their August 2018 bout, leading to an instant disqualification.
Ajagba delivered a ninth-round TKO of Razvan Cojanu his last time out this past March.