By Terence Dooley

Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight title rematch against Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 early) has been set for July 9 and will take place in Manchester, the venue will be confirmed at noon today.

The news ends months of speculation as to when, where and whether there would be a return following Fury’s decision win over the former Champion in Dusseldorf in November.

Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) upset the odds to dethrone the long-reigning Germany-based Ukrainian by utilising his boxing brain and plenty of movement.  Although the first fight was not an epic, by Fury’s own admission, there is still a lot of interest in the return and the division in general, which has sprung to life in recent months.

Shortly after winning the fight, the 27-year-old Champion was stripped of his IBF title after stating his intention to honour his binding rematch clause with Klitschko.  Charles Martin picked up the vacant belt by beating Vyacheslav Glazkov by an injury induced third-round TKO in January and he is making his first defence against Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.

Fury has talked of fighting the winner of that one, he has tabbed Martin for the win but is equally receptive to an all-British bout against Joshua or a unification with WBC holder Deontay Wilder.  In the meantime, though, he will meet the 40-year-old former titlist again in a bid to underline the first win and free himself up for other major title fights.

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