(REUTERS) – Vladimir Klitschko will have a rematch with American challenger Tony Thompson in the Swiss city of Berne on July 7, the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion said yesterday. The 36-year-old Ukrainian knocked out Thompson in their first bout in 2008.
“Thompson has a very good technique and gave me one of the toughest challenges of my career,” Klitschko said in a statement.
The champion, who beat Britain’s David Haye in July 2011, has a 57-3 record including 50 knockouts.
Southpaw Thompson, 40, has a 36-2 record with 24 knockouts but has won all five fights since the defeat by the Ukrainian.