FRANKFURT, Germany — Vitaly Klitschko's mandatory WBC heavyweight title defense against Juan Carlos Gomez of Cuba on March 21 will be held in Stuttgart.

The Ukrainian had been hoping to fight David Haye in June in London, but will instead take on the No. 1-ranked challenger by the WBC.

Klitschko's management announced Tuesday that the fight will take place in Hanns-Martin-Schleyer hall in the southern German city.

Gomez, a former cruiserweight champion, has lost only one of 46 fights. Klitschko has a 36-2 record, making a comeback out of an injury-induced retirement to beat Samuel Peter in October.