Wednesday 6 July 2016 16:14, UK
Deontay Wilder will return to Sky Sports screens when he takes on Chris Arreola in Birmingham, Alabama on July 16.
The WBC world heavyweight champion is expected to face the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in unification bouts over the coming 12 months but must first overcome Californian Arreola (36-4-1-KO31).
Wilder (36-0-KO35) was last seen in January, when he produced a brutal ninth-round knockout of Polish southpaw Artur Szpilka - and Sky Sports viewers will be hoping for more entertainment when he defends his crown for a fourth time.
The 30-year-old will be returning to Birmingham's Legacy Arena in his home state of Alabama, where he stopped Johann Duhaupas in the penultimate round back in September 2015.
The WBC granted Wilder permission to choose his next opponent after mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin failed a drugs test, prompting the cancellation of a scheduled clash in Russia.
Wilder won the title by outpointing Bermane Stiverne in January 2015 and that fight remains the only time the 'Bronze Bomber' has been taken the distance in his professional career.
