Pacquiao vs Thurman results: Efe Ajagba goes distance, outpoints Ali Eren Demirezen

In the first professional meeting of two 2016 Olympic boxers, Efe Ajagba outpointed Ali Eren Demirezen over 10 rounds in what was surely a valuable learning fight for the Nigerian heavyweight, who is seen by some as a potential future star in the sport.

Our live coverage for Pacquiao vs Thurman continues here!

Ajagba (11-0, 9 KO) had to go the 10-round distance for the first time — in fact, this was his first fight that went past the fifth — and won on the cards by scores of 97-93, 99-91, and 99-91. Bad Left Hook had it closer at 96-94, but no controversy here, other than the 99-91 cards seem a little wide.

Demirezen (11-1, 10 KO) represented Turkey at Rio 2016, and had a nice plan of attack in this fight, keeping his guard high and working far more efficiently than Ajagba. But to Ajagba’s real credit, he was able to make adjustments twice when it seemed perhaps Demirezen was building some momentum in the fight, and showed he can do a bit more already than just blast out no-hopers in a round or two.

The scores, if people didn’t see the fight, won’t represent on a BoxRec page just what a valuable experience this should be for Ajagba, but this may have been a really pivotal fight for his development. Demirezen came to win and knew how to go rounds, and Ajagba had to do more than landing a crushing few blows to win this fight. He still has plenty work on, without question, but his development is coming along, and he looks a real prospect still.