Los Angeles (AFP) – Unbeaten Deontay Wilder will risk his World Boxing Council heavyweight title next month against fellow American Chris Arreola, who has only one win in his past four fights.
Wilder, 36-0 with 35 knockouts, will make his fourth title defense on July 16 in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, against Arreola, 36-4 with one draw and 31 knockouts.
Arreola had a win over Travis Kauffman changed to no decision after a marijuana positive and drew with Fred Kassi in his prior bout. He beat Curtis Harper 15 months ago in his first fight after losing a title contest to Bermane Stiverne.
Wilder was to fight Alexander Povetkin in Russia on May 21 but the challenger failed a drug test and the fight was cancelled.
“I’m disappointed about that, but it’s not going to stop me from being an active heavyweight world champion,” Wilder said. “It has also given me the opportunity to again defend my title before my hometown fans.”
Wilder had been training in Britain, the home for two rival unbeaten heavyweight champions that will defend their crowns before him.
Anthony Joshua (16-0 with 16 knockouts) will defend his International Boxing Federattion crown on June 25 in London against unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale (17-0 with 15 knockouts) while Tyson Fury (25-0 with 18 knockouts) faces a July 9 rematch in Manchester with Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko (64-4 with 53 knockouts), whom he beat by unanimous decision last November in Germany to seize the World Boxing Association throne.
Wilder repeated his aim is to unify the titles as an undisputed champion.
“This is the longest stretch that I’ve been out of the ring and I’m anxious to get back in and continue my quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world,” Wilder said. “This is another fight in that process.”
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