Efe Ajagba overpowered former world champion Charles Martin in a ruthless fourth-round stoppage win in Las Vegas.
The Nigerian (21-1-1, 15 KOs), who put on 15 pounds of muscle in his training camp, followed two early knockdowns with three vicious right hands, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to wave off the fight as Martin sagged against the ropes.
After a fairly evenly contested first round edged by Ajagba's hard hitting rights, it was former IBF title holder Martin who looked sharper in the second, landing multiple lefts as he displayed more speed than his bulked up opponent.
The third round, though, saw Ajagba start to take control when a vicious right hook sent Martin to the ground, following the knockdown with a flurry of punches which left Martin on the ropes.
A second knockdown in the fourth teed up Ajagba to finish Martin off and secure a statement victory that cements his status as a real contender for the world title.
Martin meanwhile, is dropping further and further out of the picture as he suffers a fourth loss in his last eight fights.
"I'm ready to fight anyone in the division," Ajagba said after the fight. "I'm ranked in the top 10, but no one is saying my name.
"I'm putting the heavyweight division on notice."
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