Efe Ajagba retains WBC Silver heavyweight title, knocks out Joe Goodall

Efe Ajagba, the WBC silver heavyweight champion, secured his long-awaited revenge against Joe Goodall in their Sunday rematch, Nigerian time. This hard-hitting Nigerian heavyweight contender triumphed over Australia’s Goodall, ending their 10-round main event in the fourth round at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada.

Referee Tony Weeks intervened just 50 seconds into the fourth round, as Goodall had absorbed an overwhelming number of unanswered punches. Ajagba notched up his 14th knockout victory, improving his record to 19-1. On the other hand, Brisbane’s Goodall (10-2-1, 9 KOs), despite still being on his feet when the fight concluded, experienced his first loss inside the distance in his five-year professional career.

This victory for Ajagba served as sweet redemption for his split-decision loss to Goodall at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Goodall had entered the bout following a significant professional win, a sixth-round stoppage of Stephan Shaw on July 22 at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Shaw (18-2, 13 KOs) had previously gone the distance with Ajagba, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for Ajagba on January 14 in Verona, New York.

In the fourth round, Ajagba unleashed a powerful right hand that visibly staggered Goodall just 35 seconds in. Sensing his opponent’s vulnerability, Ajagba launched a barrage of devastating punches, prompting the referee to step in and protect Goodall from further unnecessary punishment.

With this victory, Ajagba successfully defended his WBC title for the first time, solidifying his reputation in the heavyweight division.