Nigerian heavyweight boxing sensation, Efe Ajagba, extended his professional career record to 17-1, 13 KOs and ended Stephan Shaw’s unbeaten streak with a unanimous decision win over the American on Sunday at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, New York. 

All three judges scored the 10-round clash 96-94 in favour of the Nigerian, a win that is set to reestablish Ajagba as one the top heavyweight contenders in the world.

Although the Nigerian started the fight slowly and lost the first round to the American, things changed mainly in the second half of the fight as he landed more jabs and damaging right hand shots. 

Shaw returned to his shell after receiving some heavy shots and only wanted to see the fight to the end. The loss puts an end to his unbeaten record as he now stands at 20 fights, 18 wins, (13), 1 loss and 1 no contest. 

Ajagba threw a total of 430 punches, landing 111 compared to Shaw who landed 78 out of a total of 341 punches thrown. Ajagba landed 90 jabs and 21 power shots while Shaw landed 48 jabs and 30 power shots with 13 of his punches landing on Ajagba’s body.

Reacting to the win, Ajagba said when things went wrong in the early rounds, he only had to listen to the instructions from his corner to get back on track and come out with the win.

“I went back to the corner and they told me to let my hands go, keep throwing punches, my jab. I controlled the fight, so that’s how I won the fight,” Ajagba said. He tried to land the big shots. I watched him to see what he was going to do. He kept throwing the jab, using the jab more.”

According to sportspayouts.com, Ajagba will earn a guaranteed $350,000 while Shaw walks home with a guaranteed $150,000.