BERLIN (Reuters) - WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko will fight American Shannon Briggs on October 16 in Hamburg, the Ukrainian confirmed on Wednesday.
Briggs had announced the fight in late July but until Wednesday Klitschko's management had not confirmed it. It will now take place in the city that launched the Klitschko brothers' career.
The 39-year-old Vitali, older brother of unified IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine world heavyweight champion Vladimir, most recently beat Poland's Albert Sosnowski in May with a 10th round knockout.
"Shannon Briggs is an unbelievable big mouth but also definitely a tough challenger. He is one of the toughest punchers in the business," said Klitschko in a statement.
"I am also delighted to box in Hamburg again. This is where it all started."
The 38-year-old Briggs, known as 'The Cannon', has a record of 54-5-1 and is currently eighth in the WBC rankings. Vitali has lost just two of 42 fights, winning 38 by knockout.
(Writing by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Sonia Oxley)
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