The much awaited rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko has finally gotten a date — May 7.
Despite the recent color developing between the 27-year-old champion Fury and Deontay Wilder, it will be the Ukranian who will get first crack as he tries to win back the lineal World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Organization (IBO) and The Ring magazine titles he lost back in November.
While the date of the fight has been made official, the venue has yet to be finalized.
According to The Daily Star, the rematch is expected to take place in Germany, possibly at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. Fury and company were hoping to have the defense on home soil but per the contract, the fight needs to be staged where it would make financial sense.
Initial plans were to have the fight staged either at Wembley or Old Trafford, but it seems that Germany will be pegged to host the clash. Despite that, England and United Arab Emirates are also being considered as potential venues, according to the Daily Mirror.
Despite his win, not too many are favoring Fury in the rematch. Klitschko is already 39 years old, but pundits feel that the former champion still has a lot left in the tank to avenge his November loss and reclaim the titles he lost to the brash talking Briton.
Wilder is likely to be among the spectators. Fury and Wilder had a heated face-off recently and there are many who want to see that fight happen. But for that to materialize, Fury needs to get over Klitschko first and then possibly plan a showdown with the World Boxing Council (WBC) world heavyweight champion.
Other than that, the WBA seems to be cooking up something as well.
According to BoxingScene.com, the WBA is setting up a tournament which will determine its eventual champion. The bracket scenario can be seen below.
From the looks of it, the winner of the Fury vs. Kltischko fight could end up facing the winner of Luis Ortiz vs. Alexander Ustinov in a semi-final pairing. Whoever ends up the winner of each side will eventually clash to determine who the outright WBA champion is.
