Tyson Fury vs. Wladimir Klitschko 2 Announced: Date, Venue, Reaction to Rematch
April 8, 2016
The rematch between unified heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, the man he defeated for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles, has been set for July 9 at the Manchester Arena, England.
The news of Fury getting the fight on home soil was announced by his trainer and uncle, Peter Fury, on Friday:
Sky Sports News HQ also confirmed the news:
Per MailOnline's Jeff Powell, availability "complications" meant the bout could not take place at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. Powell reported it will instead be fought at the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena and broadcast live on BoxNation.
As noted by Bleacher Report UK, the clash joins a mouth-watering lineup for a blockbuster weekend of sport in early July:
For Klitschko, the rematch is his contractually obligated chance for revenge against the man who upset him in Dusseldorf, Germany, in November. Fury took that fight thanks to a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
Since then, wrangling over where the rematch would take place has been an issue. Sky Sports' Isaac Robinson recently reported how Fury's camp had been hinting at home-field advantage for the world champion.
Boxing writer John Angus MacDonald assessed the impact the venue could have on Klitschko:
Now it has been confirmed, Fury can focus on proving his points win over Klitschko in Germany was no fluke. There's been no shortage of experts claiming the Greater Manchester-born slugger will have little trouble repeating the trick.
Back in December, former WBA featherweight champion Barry McGuigan wrote in the Daily Mirror about how Fury will make easier work of it a second time: "Klitschko couldn't work out Fury, couldn't pull the trigger. If anything I can see a more conclusive victory next time."
IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin told Sky Sports (via Allan Fox of BoxingNews24) in February he also doesn't think the 40-year-old Klitschko will push Fury hard.
With a boisterous home crowd to cheer on the 27-year-old champion and age a factor—whether he wants to admit it or not—Klitschko certainly faces an uphill battle taking back his title.