CEFN Fforest fighter Nathan Cleverly is set to travel to the USA to face Polish-American Andrzej Fonfara in a light-heavyweight showdown this autumn.

Former WBO world champion Cleverly stepped back down to 175lbs in London in May after spending 2014 at cruiserweight, and can take a major step in becoming a two-time light-heavyweight ruler by beating the Chicago-based Pole in an explosive looking contest.

Fonfara produced fireworks in April by stopping Julio Cesar Chavez Jr inside nine rounds in California to land the WBC International title.

Cleverly’s promoter Eddie Hearn says the fight will be confirmed soon, adding that the Welshman’s team chose to face Fonfara after being inundated with potential foes.

The news means that a potential world title shot against German Juergen Braehmer is likely to be delayed.

“We have had lots of big fight offers come in from Nathan over the past few months and we have taken our time to choose the right one,” said Hearn.

“The Juergen Braehmer fight was one we were very close to taking but just felt that after his big win against Chavez, Fonfara was the perfect fight on the world stage.

"We are working with his team on the date expected to be in October and we will release news shortly.”

Cleverly is still rebuilding his career after losing his world title to heavy-hitting Russian Sergey Kovalev in August 2013 and then being beaten in his rematch with bitter foe Tony Bellew at cruiserweight last November.

Warsaw-born Fonfara has 27 wins and three defeats on his pro record and challenged for the WBC light-heavyweight crown in May 2014.

The 27-year-old was beaten via a unanimous points decision by champion Adonis Stephens on that night in Montreal but bounced back with a big win over Chavez Jr this April.

Fonfara also beat Glen Johnson, Byron Mitchell and previous Cleverly victim Tommy Karpency in 2012.

Cleverly, aged 28, won his most recent fight against Czech journeyman Thomas Man inside 25 seconds at the O2 Arena in London last month.

After that fight the former Team Calzaghe man spoke of his desire to take on with Braehmer as soon as possible.

“I got rid of some frustration, I made the weight comfortably and now I want to get back to where I belong. I felt good, sharp, and strong. It was a calculated gamble to go up to cruiserweight,” he said.

“I want to move on to world level and finally get it on with Braehmer.”