SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia's Kostya Tszyu confirmed he would make a mandatory defence of his International Boxing Federation super-lightweight title against interim champion Sharmba Mitchell on November 7 in Phoenix.
Russian-born Tszyu, who turned 35 last Sunday, is making his long-awaited return to the ring after a 22-month lay-off caused by Achilles tendon and shoulder injuries.
The last time Tszyu fought in Phoenix in July 2000 he stopped Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
"After that fight, the Mexicans really liked Kostya's style of fighting and I think he will get plenty of support there. After it was over, they were respectful," Tszyu's trainer Johnny Lewis said Tuesday.
Promoter Vlad Warton and Tszyu opted for Phoenix ahead of New York's Madison Square Garden which was unavailable and other east coast venues in Atlantic City.
"There's not much interest in going from this climate in November to a cold climate in the United States, Phoenix is warm in November and Kostya has a good track record there," said Tszyu's manager Matthew Watt.
Formerly the undisputed super lightweight world champion, Tszyu said titles no longer meant as much to him as they did earlier in his career.
"I am a big prize fighter and you have to attract people, it doesn't matter whether you've got belts or not," Tszyu said.
"I don't want to waste my time fighting nobodies, I want to fight only big fights."