“I know he’s a big, strong guy,” Martin told The Ring. “Imma work my way around him, break him down, and get him out of there. That’s what I do. That’s what I come to do.”
Martin does not see this as desperation. He sees it as timing that favors him more than Ajagba realizes. The difference in activity created the impression of decline. Martin insists that it has instead created something else: opportunity disguised as vulnerability.
Martin believes inactivity has created false perception
Heavyweight matches often run on risk calculation. Fighters placed close to title contention look for opponents who look manageable but credible. Martin fits that description. He is a former IBF champion with knockout power, but his recent inactivity and age make him look less threatening than younger contenders who are still building momentum.
Martin believes Ajagba saw the inactivity and accepted erosion. He believes that assumption created this battle.
The confrontation with Jared Anderson in July 2023 reinforced Martin’s belief that he remains dangerous. Anderson was undefeated and considered one of the division’s up-and-coming names. Martin hurt him twice during their 10-round bout before losing a unanimous decision. The performance didn’t produce a win, but it changed how Martin viewed his own standing.
He said other heavyweights shunned him after that because they saw him as a high risk without enough reward. Ajagba made a different decision.
“I want the big fights,” Martin said. “(Ajagba is) in my way. It’s his fault, it’s his fault. (Beating Ajagba is going to) get me big fights.”
That language reflects more than confidence. This reflects Martin’s belief that Ajagba has misread where he is in his career.
Ajagba’s recent rise has built on narrow margins
Ajagba enters the fray with stronger positioning. He is #8 by The Ring and has moved closer to meaningful fights in the division. His recent majority draw with Martin Bakole kept him active while other heavyweights waited for bigger opportunities.
Martin focused on that particular fight and argued that the version of Bakole Ajagba was not physically prepared.
“It was an out-of-form Bakole,” Martin said. “I heard (Bakole) was in the best shape when he fought Jared. So, I mean, he wasn’t in shape for (the Ajagba fight). … It looked like he would beat him if he was in shape. But that’s the big thing. You’ve got to be in shape.”
Martin’s interpretation removes some of the certainty surrounding Ajagba’s recent progress. He sees openings rather than distance between them. Ajagba’s lone loss, a decision loss to Frank Sanchez, remains the only clear setback on his record. Martin believes his own experience and physical strength still belong at that level.
Martin sees combat as an entry point back to the big stage
Martin’s goals extend beyond this opponent. He sees Ajagba as a path back to the upper echelon of heavyweight fights, including the big international cards that now anchor the division’s schedule.
“I’m trying to make it to Saudi and all that stuff,” Martin said. “I want to be on the bigger cards, back in the mix.”
This objective gives this battle added importance. Martin doesn’t just fight to stay active. He is fighting to put himself back into a heavyweight structure that has moved on during his inactivity. He also admitted that his earlier career suffered from his own mistakes.
“In the past, I might not have been that dedicated fighter that I was when I first started,” Martin said. “It hurt me a lot, so when I’m back on track, I’m going to make a statement.”
That recognition explains the urgency behind his current approach, because Martin sees it not as rebuilding but as correcting timing.
Ajagba accepted this fight expecting to face an inactive former champion near the end of his career. Martin believes he will face something else. If Martin is right, Ajagba chose this fight based on a version of him that no longer exists.
