Martin Bakole has reportedly withdrawn from a scheduled bout against Guido Vianello on the May 23 Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven card in Giza, Egypt, leaving the planned matchup canceled at short notice.
Vianello revealed that terms had been agreed and a contract signed for the fight. However, he claimed Bakole pulled out “at the very last hour” without explanation, expressing frustration at the sudden cancellation and calling on his opponent to “find your courage again.”
The withdrawal extends Bakole’s inactivity, with the heavyweight having not fought since his draw with Efe Ajagba in May 2025. Since then, attention has been on his return following a stoppage loss to Joseph Parker which he took on short notice after Daniel Dubois withdrew due to injury.
Vianello, who fought twice last year, had positioned the bout as an important step forward for both fighters. He enters the situation coming off a win over Alexis Barriere after a loss to Richard Torrez Jr, and had viewed the clash with Bakole as a key opportunity.
With the Usyk vs Verhoeven card now finalized, the fight appears to be off entirely, and neither Bakole nor his team have issued a response.
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