The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned a "direct rematch" between heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Wilder and Fury shared a controversial and thrilling draw in Los Angeles on Sunday (NZ time), with both fighters claiming they should have been declared the winner.
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Fury's promoter Frank Warren and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) made a complaint to the WBC over the scores, and the sanctioning body has confirmed it will grant their request.
Although Fury was knocked down in the ninth and 12th rounds, many observers thought the 30-year-old Briton should have won the bout, which was scored 115-111 for Wilder, 114-112 for Fury and 113-113.
The WBC said there was a "unanimous agreement" to sanction a rematch in a meeting of the board of governors.
"The World Boxing Council conducted a voting through the board of governors, which resulted in a unanimous agreement to sanction a direct rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
"Wilder and Fury gave boxing one of the best fights in the heavyweight division in a long time, which has created tremendous popular demand for the fans to see a rematch.
"The WBC is happy to confirm that a direct rematch has been approved and will create in a ruling which will also consider the mandatory status of the division."
Wilder was due to face fellow American Dominic Brezeale next as a mandatory but this latest decision overrides a Wilder vs Brezeale bout.
No details of the fight have been confirmed, but it is expected to take play in the next three to six months.
Newshub.
