Tyson Fury vs Wladimir Klitschko 2: Rematch set for 9 July in Manchester

Rumours the fight could take place at Old Trafford

Declan Warrington
Friday 08 April 2016 12:26 BST
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(2015 Getty Images)

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An agreement is in place for the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA and WBO heavyweight titles to take place in Manchester on July 9, according to the British fighter's trainer and uncle Peter Fury.

Fury senior tweeted that the long-awaited rematch will be confirmed later on Friday, and claimed the fight would take place in Manchester.

"(On) 9th July Tyson Fury vs Klitschko is coming to Manchester Uk," he wrote on Twitter.

"Official announcement coming 12 noon."

A rematch between the two has effectively been under negotiation since Fury unexpectedly outpointed Klitschko in Dusseldorf in November to win the WBA, WBO and IBF titles and become the first to defeat him in 11 years.

The 40-year-old Klitschko almost instantly activated the rematch clause that had been in the first fight's contract, which ultimately led to Fury being stripped of the IBF title through his inability to defend it against mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov.

Negotiations have been progressing slowly since then, with several venues in the UK and Germany reported to be under consideration.

Press Association Sport understands Fury's manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, who spent much of the previous week overlooking another of his fighters, the injured Nick Blackwell, has this week been working with Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente.

Fury suffered a minor back injury last month, but believes the delay in an announcement is down to Klitschko's hope that he will gain weight if given time off.

"I think they think I will put on 10 stone and self-detonate, but that's not going to happen," he said. "When I get the date, I'll go straight back in the gym and start working it off.

"I've got a back injury. An old injury flared up when I went over to help Hughie (my cousin) out for his fight (on March 26).

"I got taken to hospital and ever since then, every time I get punched in the back, it goes into a spasm, like a trapped nerve. It's a painful experience.

"But, listen, when they announce the date, I'll be ready, back injury or not."

He has also exchanged insults on Twitter with Anthony Joshua, who in London on Saturday challenges Charles Martin for what was once Fury's IBF title, over the past week.

PA

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