CEFN Fforest fighter Nathan Cleverly will return to the ring next month on the undercard of Lee Selby’s world title shot, writes Andrew Penman.
Cleverly, himself a former world champion, will drop down a weight for a non-title fight on May 30 against an unnamed opponent.
It is the first step as he bids for a second world title at light-heavyweight.
Cleverly held the WBO light-heavy title for two years before being knocked out by Sergey Kovalev in devastating fashion in August 2013.
The 28-year-old then stepped up to cruiserweight but is rebuilding his career for a third time following his second career defeat to British rival Tony Bellew last November, where he admitted the extra weight cost him.
Cleverly is targeting a WBA light-heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer this year.
The pair were due to clash back in 2010 but Cleverly inherited Braehmer’s WBO light-heavyweight crown without fighting after the German pulled out because of injury.
“I’m told that fight can really happen,” Cleverly told Sky Sports last month. “I believe this fight is on the cards, so I’ve got one fight in me lined up and if I get through that I think it’s likely that myself and Braehmer are going to get it on.
“Let’s see what the promoters can sort out now; Sauerland and Eddie Hearn can get together and really confirm this fight.
“But I know it’s been put in place, the seed has been planted and I’m ready, hopefully Braehmer’s ready.
“That’s the big question, will Juergen Braehmer really take me on, let’s hope he does and I can rip that world title of him.”
Barry boxer Selby, who trains with Tony Borg at St Joseph’s gym in Newport, has his first world title shot at London's O2 Arena against Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF featherweight title.
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