Efe Ajagba Challenge to Anthony Joshua: The ‘Former King’ of Heavyweight is Past His Prime and Will Be Defeated by the End of 2025?

In the ever-changing landscape of heavyweight boxing, new contenders are constantly emerging to challenge the old guard. Now, Efe Ajagba, one of Nigeria’s most dangerous punchers, has issued a bold statement aimed directly at Anthony Joshua, the former two-time unified world champion.

Ajagba’s claim is clear: the man who once ruled the division is “past his prime,” and if given the opportunity, he vows to defeat Joshua before the end of 2025. In a division where knockouts dominate headlines and legacy defines careers, this potential clash between Nigeria’s two most prominent heavyweights would be more than just a fight—it would be a passing of the torch.

Anthony Joshua’s Fall From the Top

Once seen as the face of heavyweight boxing, Anthony Joshua is now at a crossroads. The British-Nigerian star burst onto the scene after capturing Olympic gold in 2012, and quickly built a stellar professional resume. With wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, and Andy Ruiz Jr., Joshua unified the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.

But in recent years, the narrative around Joshua has shifted. Back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and a shaky performance against Jermaine Franklin led many to question his confidence, his chin, and his ability to adapt in the ring. Even in his victories, critics say he lacks the killer instinct that once made him a feared force.

Despite a dominant knockout win over Otto Wallin in late 2023 and an early-2024 victory over Francis Ngannou, questions still linger: is Joshua truly back? Or is he simply fighting off the inevitable decline that comes with years of grueling battles?

Efe Ajagba: Nigeria’s Newest Threat in the Heavyweight Division

Standing at 6’6” and possessing explosive knockout power, Efe Ajagba has long been seen as a future world champion. With a professional record of 20-1 (14 KOs), Ajagba has fought his way into the top 10 rankings with the WBC and WBO.

Born in Ughelli, Nigeria, and now based in Texas, Ajagba has built his reputation on pure power and relentless pressure. He holds victories over Frank Sánchez (avenged after his sole loss), Stephan Shaw, Zhan Kossobutskiy, and Guido Vianello, proving he belongs in the world title conversation.

But Ajagba isn’t just waiting quietly in line—he’s calling his shot. In a recent interview with Nigerian media, Ajagba didn’t hold back when discussing his countryman.

“Anthony Joshua had his time, but that time is over. He’s not the same fighter anymore. He’s slower, more cautious, and easy to read. If we fight before the end of 2025, I promise I’ll knock him out.”

A Heavyweight Civil War: Nigeria vs. Nigeria

What makes the Efe Ajagba vs. Anthony Joshua storyline even more compelling is the shared national pride between the two fighters. Both are proud Nigerians—Joshua, born in the UK but of Yoruba descent, and Ajagba, who was born and raised in Delta State, Nigeria.

In a country that rarely sees its native fighters rise to global fame, the idea of two world-class Nigerian heavyweights facing off would be monumental. Nigerian fans are already split in allegiance, with some staying loyal to AJ’s legacy, while others are rooting for the younger, hungrier Ajagba to take the throne.

This fight wouldn’t just be for rankings or belts—it would be for national supremacy.

Breaking Down the Styles: Can Ajagba Really Beat Joshua?

Let’s analyze how the two match up inside the ring:

Anthony Joshua – The Boxer-Puncher

• Height/Reach: 6’6″ / 82 inches

• Record: 28-3 (25 KOs)

• Style: Technically sound, uses jab well, strong finisher when aggressive

• Weaknesses: Susceptible to pressure, inconsistent stamina, mental lapses

Efe Ajagba – The Power Pressure Fighter

• Height/Reach: 6’6″ / 85 inches

• Record: 20-1 (14 KOs)

• Style: Straight-forward power-puncher, excellent right hand, good chin

• Weaknesses: Footwork needs improvement, vulnerable to counter-punchers

In theory, Ajagba’s style could pose a serious threat to the more technical Joshua. If he’s able to cut off the ring and force AJ into exchanges, he could test Joshua’s chin—which has already shown cracks against Andy Ruiz and Usyk.

However, if Joshua fights smart, stays behind his jab, and uses lateral movement, he could outbox Ajagba and pick him apart, especially if the fight goes beyond six rounds.

The Timing Is Everything: Why End of 2025 Matters

Ajagba’s bold statement that he will defeat Joshua “by the end of 2025” is more than just talk—it’s strategic.

By that time:

• Joshua will be 35 years old

• He will likely have at least one more major fight, possibly against Deontay Wilder or Zhilei Zhang

• The next wave of heavyweights will be fully surging (Jared Anderson, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgović)

In short, Joshua’s window is closing, while Ajagba’s is just beginning to open. If the two were to meet in 2025, the timing might heavily favor a younger, fresher Ajagba.

What Does Joshua Have to Say? Silence for Now

So far, Anthony Joshua has not responded publicly to Ajagba’s challenge. His current focus appears to be on staying active and potentially fighting for the vacant IBF title or a rematch with Wilder.

But behind the scenes, sources suggest Joshua’s team has taken note of Ajagba’s rising popularity and power. A bout between the two could do massive numbers in the UK, Nigeria, and the U.S., especially if promoted properly with national pride on the line.

Boxing Fans React: Is Joshua Really “Past It”?

The boxing community is divided on whether Anthony Joshua is truly past his prime.

One Reddit user wrote:

“AJ is still elite. He’s just become more cautious after getting dropped. Doesn’t mean he’s washed.”

A Nigerian fan countered:

“Ajagba is the future. AJ had his day. Nigeria wants a lion now, not a gentleman.”

Even in the U.S., boxing insiders like Teddy Atlas and Tim Bradley have weighed in. Atlas said on his podcast:

“Joshua is still dangerous, but you can tell he’s hesitant. That edge, that spark—it’s not what it used to be.”

Could the Fight Happen in Nigeria? The Dream Venue

If promoters could pull it off, a Joshua vs. Ajagba fight in Lagos or Abuja would be historic. Nigeria hasn’t hosted a major global boxing match in decades, and staging this bout on home soil would be a cultural and sporting milestone.

Imagine 50,000 fans packed into Teslim Balogun Stadium, watching their two greatest fighters go toe to toe.

Promoters like Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank have expressed interest in bringing boxing back to Africa, and this could be the perfect fight to make that happen.

Final Thoughts: Will Joshua Accept the Challenge?

Efe Ajagba is no longer just a prospect—he’s a full-fledged contender, and he’s calling for the biggest fight of his life. Whether Anthony Joshua responds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting.

If Joshua wants to prove he’s still a top-tier heavyweight, beating a hungry fighter like Ajagba would be the statement to make.

But if he avoids the challenge, the narrative will only grow louder: Is Anthony Joshua avoiding the new lion from Nigeria?