The IBF has granted heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko an exception to fight Tony Thompson, 31-1 (19), the WBO mandatory challenger. The fight is expected to take place during July in Germany, on a date and site to be determined, it was announced today by K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler, and Klitschko Management Group’s managing director Bernd Boente.

Klitschko holds three belts – the IBF, IBO and WBO titles – on the strength of his unanimous 12 round decision over Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden last February 23.

The 1996 Olympic Gold Medallist, Klitschko, 50-3 (44) is one of the most talented heavyweights of this era, and his dominance has led him to three heavyweight world titles.

After holding the WBO title from 2000 to 2003, the 32-year old Klitschko also won the IBF title from Chris Byrd in 2006, made three title defenses with KO victories over Calvin Brock, Ray Austin, and Lamon Brewster, and then the unification over Ibragimov to take the WBO championship.

"I am very happy about the fair decision by the IBF, because Thompson has already been waiting for a year as the mandatory challenger," said Klitschko.

“There is a reason why Thompson is number one in the world ranking – he hasn’t lost in eight years! I saw his knockout win in Germany over Luan Krasniqi, and definitely will not underestimate him. I look forward to getting back into the ring in July and to defending the titles again by the end of the year.”

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Preview Analysis: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tony Thompson

  Tonight in Hamburg, Germany, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko defends his WBO and IBF Heavyweight titles against Tony Thompson. In this one, Klitschko, for a change, will be facing an opponent almost equal >
  
  

• Boxing Perspective: What’s Next For Wladimir Klitschko?

  

  © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing Now that IBF titlist Wladimir Klitschko cruised by the highly touted yet mediocre Sultan Ibragimov, lifting the WBO strap, he's got an open dance card >
  
  

• Arena Boxing: Juan Carlos Gomez Kicked Out Of Wladimir Klitschko’s Public Workout

  “The Black Panther” returned to Hamburg yesterday and is already kicking up a fuss again. At yesterday's so called “public” workout for Wladimir Klitschko’s title defence against Tony Thompson on >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Wladimir Klitschko KO’s Tony Thompson Round 11 In Hamburg

  The Cinderella story of Tony Thompson's world title dreams came crashing to the canvas in the 11th round last night at a packed Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, courtesy >
  
  

• Boxing Perspective: Wladimir Klitschko

  I'm amazed. After Wladimir Klitschko’s KO victory over Tony Thompson in Hamburg, Germany, a week ago, he should have risen in the esteem of boxing fans. Thompson was a >
  
  

• European Boxing News: Byrd, Thompson, Lee, Sipos, Gomez

  Former WBO heavy champ Chris Byrd, who fought both Klitschko brothers, looks to continue his career at cruiser and face German Ralf Riemer in the chief support to Klitschko vs. >
  
  

• Boxing Preview: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman

  An interesting bill shapes up tonight in the heavyweight division as weight class kingpin Wladimir Klitschko meets the challenge of former champion Hasim Rahman at the SAP Arena in Manheim, >
  
  

• Boxing Update: Ruiz Wants Klitschko If Valuev Bid Falls Through

  If the WBA doesn’t rule in favor of a petition filed for two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs) to fight WBA heavyweight champion Nicolai Valuev >
  
  

• Wladimir Klitschko is Back!.

  Wladimir Klitschko made a commanding statement in his latest return to the ring by stopping opponent Elicier Castillo in four rounds tonight in Germany. The Ukrainian giant and brother of >
  
  

• Klitschko-Peter Trainers Speak.

  "Peter's going to find out that this is not the place for him. Wladimir is not another class-C guy. He (Peter) was fighting the B-level boys, the Charles Shuffords and >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: German Boxing, IBF, IBO, Tony Thompson, WBO, Wladimir Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko Vs Tony Thompson