Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko will fight for the world heavyweight title in Spring 2017

British IBF champion Anthony Joshua and former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko have been cleared to fight for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in 2017.

Joshua, who has just been confirmed to defend his IBF title against American Eric Molina on 10th December, will meet the former WBA, WBO and IBF champion Klitschko in a rearranged fight in spring next year. The fight comes as a result of WBA officially sanctioning a bout between the two men. Joshua and Klitschko will fight for the WBA "Super" heavyweight title - a designation the WBA gives to boxing champions that hold a belt in more than one organisation. As such, the title will only be on the line if Joshua successfully defends his IBF title against Molina in December. With current betting odds making the British champion the 1/10 favourite for his winter bout, the WBA ruling should be a mere formality. "It’s been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will official sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title," said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

"We will now move forward with Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever."

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