Efe Ajagba Vs. Stephan Shaw: Odds, Records, Prediction

As Efe Ajagba starts off his 2023 with an ESPN showdown vs. the undefeated Stephan Shaw, there are still plenty of questions about how good Ajagba can be. Is he a potential heavyweight champion or maybe a Hall of Famer? Is he a contender with a good chance to knock off anybody? Or is he just a solid fighter who will never make it to the elite level? We will continue to learn all about him on Saturday against a potentially tough opponent, particularly since Ajagba is the betting underdog. Here’s everything you need to know about Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.

Ajagba started his career with 15 straight wins, but that came to a halt when he faced fellow prospect Frank Sanchez in 2021. Ajagba was thoroughly outboxed and knocked down, and he lost a wide unanimous decision. He came back with a knockout victory against a low-level opponent 10 months later, but his performance vs. Sanchez led some to believe that Ajagba wasn’t ready to compete at the contender level.

Originally, Ajagba was scheduled to face Oscar Rivas (who had previously beaten Bryant Jennings and went the full 12 rounds with Dillian Whyte), but Rivas had to step aside with an eye injury. That led to a chance for Shaw to step into Rivas’ spot. And he’s ready for his short-notice appearance.

“I have faced adversity that the average man wouldn’t be able to deal with,” Shaw said. “Coming from St. Louis, beating the odds and being on this stage to have my moment. I feel great. I’m excited.”

It’ll also be interesting to see if Ajagba is 100% healthy. In the past two years, he’s had surgeries on his left arm and both elbows. In part, that’s why he’s only had three fights in the past 26 months.

“I have the name ‘The Silent Roller’ because I don’t talk much. Since I came back from my surgery, I’ve tried to do everything to fight more,” Ajagba. “That’s why I only had one fight last year. I’ve been trying to get more fights.”

Obviously, a victory vs. Shaw would get him back on the right path toward whatever he feels awaits him. But a loss would be devastating to his career aspirations of ever reaching the championship level.

Here’s more info on the Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw showdown that U.S. viewers can watch on ESPN or ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw odds

Although Ajagba is the bigger name and the A-side in this fight, he’s also the underdog at +120 (win $120 on a $100 wager), as of Friday afternoon. Shaw, meanwhile, is the -163 favorite (bet $163 to win $100). If you like Shaw to win, I’d go with him to do it via decision at +125, and if you think Ajagba will pull it off, I’d go with him by stoppage at +300. I think this fight will probably go all 10 rounds, but there’s still decent value in going with the under 8.5 rounds at +175.

Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw records

In his most important fight to date, Ajagba fell to the superior boxing of Frank Sanchez. Otherwise, Ajagba has shown good power in accumulating a 16-1 (13 KOs) record. Thus far, his most impressive win has come against Ali Eren Demirezen, who went on to beat Adam Kownacki and Gerald Washington.

At 18-0 (13 KOs), Shaw has shown some potential, and beating Ajagba would be his most high profile victory. He’s coming off one of his most impressive wins, shutting out Rydell Booker only two months ago.

Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw prediction

This won’t be an easy fight for Ajagba to regain his footing. Shaw certainly has skills, and he’s been much more active than Ajagba (three fights in 2022 alone). Though Shaw isn’t as well known as Ajagba, he’ll make a name for himself on the nationally televised main event and beat Ajagba by a wider-than-expected decision, somewhere in the 98-92 range.