Ukrainian heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko poses with his titles. (Getty)
Klitschko Management Group and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports announced today that IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO and RING world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles against American Bryant Jennings on April 25th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Philadelphia native Bryant “By-By” Jennings (19-0,10 KOs) was last in the ring in July 2014 when he decisioned Cuban Mike Perez. Prior to that, Jennings knocked out Artur Szpilka in January of 2014.
Jennings’s upcoming fight against Klitschko will be his first major title bout.
”This is the moment I have been waiting for,” said Jennings via press release. “Now it’s time to bring the belts home.”
“I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements,” said Wladimir Klitschko. “He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge.”
Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 53 KOs) is in his eight-year reign as a titleholder, second only to Joe Louis’s record of 11 years. He enters the fight having flattened an undefeated Kubrat Pulev with a fifth-round knockout in November 2014.
Klitschko’s last fight in the United States was also in New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 2008, beating Sultan Ibragimov.
“I am extremely happy to fight in New York again.” said Klitschko. “I had my first unification fight here and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”
“Wladimir has proven to be the most dominant heavyweight champion in recent history and we are looking forward to another great performance on April 25,” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions.
No undercard names have been mention as of yet.