By Per Ake Persson

Ruslan Chagaev will make the first defense of his WBA heavyweight title versus Francesco Pianeta in a battle of heavyweight southpaws, to take place July 11 at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. 

A press conference is being planned by Ulf Steinforth's SES Promotions, slated to take place next Tuesday, May 12. 

Chagaev (33-2-1, 20KOs) returns for the first time since his vacant title win over Fres Oquendo last July. The sordid ordeal and its aftermath is still being sorted out in court, but Chagaev will move forward with his plans to return to the ring following an extended absence.

Pianeta (31-1-1, 17KOs) has won three straight since a failed bid to unseat Wladimir Klitschko in his previous heavyweight title challenge, two years ago almost to the day. The 6'5" is ranked #13 by the WBA.