A showdown between heavyweight contenders Moses Itauma and Martin Bakole is unlikely to take place next, insists Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren.
Talks of their potential dustup have circulated over the past few weeks, with Warren previously expressing his interest in delivering the opportunity for Itauma, 12-0 (10 KOs).
But now, it would appear that the Queensberry promoter is eager to explore alternative options, with Bakole, 21-2-1 (16 KOs), on the other hand, already having his next assignment lined up.
The 33-year-old earned himself a formidable reputation – with many regarding him as the heavyweight bogeyman – last August, back when he ruthlessly halted Jared Anderson inside five rounds.
After that, the Congolese puncher rolled the dice on around two days’ notice and faced Joseph Parker, who was supposed to collide with Daniel Dubois, last February.
It was not long, however, until Bakole found himself crashing down to the canvas, moments before his trainer, Billy Nelson, pulled him out in only the second round.
His previously scheduled clash with Efe Ajagba then arrived soon after, though a pedestrian performance earlier this month ultimately saw Bakole come away with a highly-contentious draw.
Yet still, the hard-hitting giant has seemingly been given another opportunity, with Nelson suggesting that, as a result, their possible clash with Itauma will simply have to wait.
In the meantime, Itauma – who secured a typically dynamic second-round finish over Mike Balogun on Saturday – is likely to feature on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2.
But while an opponent for his outing at Wembley Stadium, London, on July 19 is yet to be revealed, it is safe to say that the 20-year-old will not be duking it out with Bakole.
“I’m getting sick to death of hearing about Bakole,” Warren told BoxNation. “We’ve seen his last two fights – he was lucky to get a draw [against Ajagba] and he got poleaxed [by Parker].
“Let Bakole have that massive fight he’s got [next] – let him win the massive fight – and then we’ll see if he deserves the shot [at Itauma].”
