Vitali Klitschko plans to defend WBC title against Stiverne - interview

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko plans to defend his title at least once again.

"There is an official challenger [for the WBC belt], Bermane Stiverne. The fight will take place, and it is only necessary to set the date. After this, all rumors will be dispelled by themselves," Klitschko said in an interview available in the Russian-language online newspaper Segodnya (Today) on Tuesday.

Stiverne, a 34-year-old Canadian, became the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title after beating Chris Arreola (U.S.) in an eliminator fight on April 27. After turning pro, Stiverne has fought 25 bouts, winning 23 of them with 20 KOs and lost one.

Vitali Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title by TKO on September 9, 2012 in a fight with Manuel Charr in Moscow. That was the 47th fight in Vitali Klitschko's professional career, of which he has won 45 with 41 KOs.

Vitali Klitschko's brother Wladimir holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles.