HAMBURG, Germany (AP) – Chris Byrd will defend his IBF heavyweight title in Germany against Wladimir Klitschko on April 22.

Marketing company Sportfive on Tuesday announced the fight, which will be staged in Mannheim.

Klitschko beat Byrd convincingly on points in April 2000 to win the WBO title, then lost the belt when he was knocked out by South Africa’s Corrie Sanders.

“It’s a great feeling to fight for the world championship again,” Klitschko said in a statement. “I did beat him five years ago on points, but Byrd is stronger and more experienced today. His victories against top people like Evander Holyfield, Jameel McCline and David Tua speak for themselves.”

Sportfive said Klitschko’s manager, Bernd Boente, would announce the fight at a news conference in New York on Wednesday.

Klitschko has a record of 45-3 with 40 knockouts., while Byrd is 39-2-1 with 20 knockouts.

AP-ES-02-07-06 1336EST