Mairis Briedis returns to action in October

IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis will be making his return to the ring this upcoming October. The 36-year-old Latvia is set to defend its IBF belt against Germany's Artur Mann on October 16 at "Arena Riga" in Latvia's capital city.

This will be Briedis' first title defense since he captured the belt back in September 2020. The Latvian hasn't fought since he defeated Cuba's Yuniel Dorticos via majority decision and won the WBSS cruiserweight tournament.

Mann, 30, is the mandatory challenger for the belt. He hasn't fought since June 2020 when he beat Rad Rashid via KO.