Can Charles Martin restore heavyweight lustre with Efe Ajagba test?

They say you can never count out a champion - and for as brief as his reign was, Charles Martin earned that crown.

The American, who reigned as IBF heavyweight kingpin for a dozen weeks back in 2016, has often flown under the radar for many fans.

Perhaps it is because the distinction of his short tenure atop the pile effectively proved the curtain-raiser to Anthony Joshua's imperial reign.

The Briton scored a rapid second-round knockout when the two met at London's The O2 Arena in April a decade ago, seizing the crown.

The Ring

For Martin, it was a brutal end to a tenure that had seen him build an impressive resume, unbeaten in the ring since turning pro in 2012.

Ten years down the line, the star is back in action this weekend, headlinig a heavyweight bout for Zuffa Boxing against Efe Ajagba in Las Vegas.

Held at the Meta Apex venue, away from the bright lights, it will be an intimate event where the star will have to shut out close-quarters noise.

But in tackling one of the heavyweight division's top-ranked cult heroes, DAZN News profiles three reasons how Martin could restore his lustre.

Brutal power still undimmed in twilight years

They say a heavyweight is only as good as his hook - and even though he is well into the back end of his career, Martin can still throw a special one.

He has claimed stoppages in his last five bouts, putting Gerald Washington, Devin Vargas and Matthew McKinney all in their place with pure power.

That is what Martin must hope he can summon against Ajagba and his durable chin, an approach that will force him to chase the Nigerian early on.

The latter got plenty of purchase against Martin Bakole thanks to a slow start from his opponent. Here, the American must land big hits from the start.

If he manages to do that, then Martin will know he can build up some steam and remind those watching just what he can bring to the heavyweight table.

Force the distance against a ranked foe

Since his loss to Joshua, Martin has not quite been rewarded with the calibre of foe he may want - and when he has, he has come up short too often.

His last defeat against Jared Anderson went the distance however, against a man then seen as a potential rising star before his own loss to Bakole.

Martin must manage the same against the man who pushed the latter to draw in his last outing now, and ensure he ends the fight on his feet with Ajagba.

Irrespective of the result that may unfold, a full bout is nothing to be sniffed at in any fight, the sign of a true competitor who can tough out the hardest hits.

With a reputation that perhaps never quite recovered from how quickly Joshua dispatched him, Martin must prove his rugged credentials once again here.

Showboat to secure lucrative next move

The jury is still out on what Zuffa Boxing will bring to the broader landscape of a sport in flux - but it will undoubtedly capture some interested eyeballs too.

Everybody loves an entertainer, and Martin may need to trade on his abilities to impress an audience by showcasing his skills some more against a game foe.

Ajagba too will be out to show what he can do beyond the basics, and both men could well feed off each other in terms of crafting an intriguing match-up.

On paper, that could prove very beneficial, but Martin must ensure he stays on the front foot too, in order to book future fights against bigger opponents.

His confidence in a potential return to the summit is admirable - but he must let his fists fly if he is going to ensure he can get the packets and chances he wants.

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