 Baldomir had been expected to fight Ricky Hatton |
WBC welterweight king Carlos Baldomir will take on Arturo Gatti at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on 22 July. Argentina's Baldomir had been a target for Manchester's light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton but is believed to have priced himself out of a fight.
Baldomir, 34, upset Zab Judah on points in January to win the WBC title.
Canadian Gatti, who has also been tipped as a Hatton opponent, lost his WBC light welterweight crown to America's Floyd Mayweather last June.
Baldomir said: "I am the real world welterweight champion. The love and support I have received from the public since I upset Zab Judah has been overwhelming.
"I have great respect for Arturo Gatti. He is a genuine warrior and I believe this will be my toughest fight ever. But I know in my head and my heart that my destiny is to defeat Gatti."
Gatti, a resident of Atlantic City, said: "I look forward to returning to Boardwalk Hall and fighting in front of my fans.
"I thank Carlos Baldomir for the opportunity to challenge for the world welterweight championship. He is the true welterweight champion and it will be a great fight."
MMIX
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