Weigh-In Results: Efe Ajagba vs. Stephan Shaw
Saturday 14th January at 10pm ET / 7pm PT / 3am GMT – LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images
In the 10-round main event, thunderous puncher Efe Ajagba (16-1, 13KO) looks upend the unbeaten run of St. Louis native Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (18-0, 13KO), broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes.
The 10-round co-feature sees 2016 Italian Olympian Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (10-0-1, 9KO) stepping up against noted spoiler Jonnie Rice (15-6-1, 10KO).
Full weigh-in results, schedule and ringwalk times below:
Main Event
Efe Ajagba 235 1/4 vs Stephan Shaw 239.5
Heavyweight — 10 Rounds
Chief Support
Guido Vianello 239 lbs vs Jonnie Rice 274 1/4 lbs
Heavyweight — 10 Rounds
ESPN+ 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT / 10:30pm GMT
Abraham Nova 129 lbs vs Adam Lopez 129 lbs
Junior Lightweight — 10 Rounds
Haven Brady Jr. 132 3/4 lbs vs Ruben Cervera 130 1/4 lbs
Lightweight— 8 Rounds
Bryce Mills 143 lbs vs Margarito Hernandez 144 1/4 lbs
Welterweight — 6/4 Rounds
Floyd Diaz 122 lbs vs Edwin Rodriguez 121.5 lbs
Junior Featherweight — 8 Rounds
Brian Norman Jr. 149 lbs vs Rodrigo Damian Coria 148 1/4 lbs
Welterweight — 8 Rounds
Bruce Carrington 128 lbs vs Juan Antonio Lopez 127.5 lbs
Featherweight — 6 Rounds
Dante Benjamin Jr. 174 lbs vs Emmanueal Austin 175 lbs
Light Heavyweight— 6 Rounds
What Have They Said?
Efe Ajagba: “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. That’s why I only had one fight last year. I’ve been trying to get more fights.
“I’ve made adjustments for Saturday night. We’ll see how it goes. I’m ready for him. I wanted to fight Oscar Rivas before. But that changed. But now Shaw has the opportunity to fight me.
“It means a lot to me to represent my country. I just want to be like them [Samuel Peter and Henry Akinwande]. Ever since I started boxing, I’ve tried to be like them.
“I’m ready to put on a show. I’m going to put more pressure. I can’t wait. I’m so excited to be here.”
Stephan Shaw: “I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity. To have that pedigree behind me—that carries me. That’s my foundation, and I go off that. St. Louis has a rich history of boxing. And I feel like right now I’m the pride of St. Louis. I’m looking to continue that legacy of having great world champions represent St. Louis, Missouri.
“I’ve got God on my side. God makes all the situations that I have faced in my entire career and He has made it work. I have faced adversity that the average man wouldn’t be able to deal with. Coming from St. Louis, beating the odds and being on this stage to have my moment. I feel great. I’m excited.
“I’m a third-generation fighter. I’m looking to become a world champion. Saturday night, I’m going to make my mark.”
Fight Prediction
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “This is a great heavyweight fight to kick the year off with!
“It’s been good to see Ajagba return improved and ready to go headfirst into another big fight, undeterred by his defeat.
“However, I think Frank Sanchez showed that speed kills and may have laid down the blueprint for his sparring partner Stephan Shaw to follow, who has quick hands too.
“Shaw hasn’t shared the ring with a big name until now, perhaps because he is an avoided fighter and considered a risk, so this is the first real acid test for the ‘Big Shot’ and, despite having one more fight than Efe, he will be the lesser experienced in there. That experience and amateur pedigree should stand Ajagba in good stead to make this fight very competitive and enduring. I couldn’t see either man blowing the other one away early, so this should have several good rounds in it.
“But I think Shaw’s superior speed will see him dominate Ajagba, like Sanchez did, to win unanimously on points.”
Full fight preview
