Sampson Lewkowicz successfully outbid Top Rank for the right to stage an IBF heavyweight final eliminator between no. 3 Efe Ajagba and no. 4 Frank Sanchez, claiming the rematch with a $302,000 offer. As the higher-ranked fighter, Ajagba will be the beneficiary of a 60-40 split.

Sanchez (25-1, 18 KO) cruised past Ajagba (20-1-1, 14 KO) when they met as undefeated contenders in 2021, but spent the next few years treading water until Agit Kabayel hit him with the ol’ tummy smasher last year. His lone fight since saw him stop 18-24 Ramon Olivas Echeverria, which was somehow sufficient to catapult him back up the IBF rankings.

Why? Hell if I know.

When Gabe Kapler got hurt, this rule told teammates to stay away

Ajagba stands unbeaten in his last six fights since the Sanchez debacle, though it’s been far from a smooth ride. That run includes a DQ win over Zhas Kossobutskiy that saw the Kazakh tee off on Ajagba’s unmentionables, a narrow split decision over Guido Vianello, and most recently a draw with Martin Bakole. Still, he’s gone above what looked like a low ceiling.

We’ll keep you guys posted as things develop. (badlefthook)