Efe Ajagba Edges Out Guido Vianello in Action-Packed Heavyweight Battle

Heavyweight contenders Efe Ajagba and Guido Vianello engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth battle on Saturday night at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The co-main event of the Jared Anderson-Ryad Merhy card saw Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) emerge victorious with a split decision.

Two judges scored the fight 96-94 in his favour, while the third scored it 94-96 for Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs).

The fight began with Vianello, a 29-year-old from Rome, Italy, landing the cleaner shots in the first round, including two significant right hands. In the second round, the Italian continued his offensive onslaught, hurting Ajagba with a right hand that sent the Nigerian stumbling into the ropes. Vianello followed up with a barrage of punches, leaving Ajagba worried about being knocked out.

However, Ajagba, 29, from Ughelli, Nigeria, staged a remarkable comeback in the middle rounds. He regained his composure in the third and began to outland Vianello in the fourth, using his jab to control the fight's pace. As Vianello's energy waned following his early surge, Ajagba capitalised, landing a left uppercut in the fifth and making Vianello miss by increasingly wide margins in the sixth.

Ajagba's uppercut continued to find its mark in the seventh round, although Vianello managed to land a solid right to the body when Ajagba was against the ropes. Both fighters showed signs of fatigue in the eighth, with Ajagba switching to a southpaw stance as Vianello attempted to increase his activity.

In the tenth and final round, Vianello made a valiant effort to turn the tide, landing several right hands as he emptied his gas tank. However, his late surge proved insufficient to sway the judges, as Ajagba's work in the middle rounds secured him the split decision victory.

The bout showcased the heart and determination of both heavyweights, who delivered an entertaining and closely contested battle for the fans in attendance. While Ajagba's resilience and adaptability earned him the win, Vianello's performance served as a reminder of his potential and the depth of talent in the heavyweight division.