By Edward Chaykovsky

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, there have been preliminary negotiations to make a light heavyweight showdown between WBA 'regular' light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer of Germany and former WBO champion Nathan Cleverly of the UK.

Braehmer was the WBO champion back in 2011 and was set to face Cleverly but the fight never happened. Braehmer withdrew with injury and was stripped of his belt, and then Cleverly was made the full champion. There were talks to have their fight at other points in the last few years. The two sides were never able to reach an agreement.

Cleverly (29-3, 15KO) was last in action last October, when he lost a war of a fight with Andrzej Fonfara. Braehmer (48-2, 35KOs) made the sixth defence of his title last Saturday night with a twelve unanimous decision over Eduard Gutknecht in their rematch.

Before he gets to Braehmer, Cleverly wants to take a tuneup fight in May.

"We're going for Juergen Braehmer. There'll be a little tune-up fight in May but then it'll be on to Braehmer. We were supposed to fight three times in the past but for some reason he didn't fight me. It's time to get it on now. I'm prepared to go to Germany and I can't wait," Cleverly told Sky Sports.

"The perfect scenario would be for Fonfara to fight Adonis Stevenson for the WBC title. I believe Fonfara wants it and will win that fight. I believe I'll beat Braehmer. Then further down the line there's another big unification fight. First and foremost, I've got to get this Braehmer fight and become world champion again.

"It's a big ask, going to Germany and upsetting Braehmer. He's a good world champion but I strongly fancy it. Hopefully I'll make a few defences and then look for the elite fighters like Kovalev and Fonfara. I watched Braehmer on Saturday night. It was a good display. Typical Braehmer. He showed nothing different. Eduard Gutknecht is a fringe contender and Braehmer did the business and started off sharp.

 "The Sauerlands and Eddie Hearn have started preliminary talks so let's hope they can nail down this date for Braehmer's next fight in Germany. Let's bring an exciting fight to the light-heavyweight division. Let's get it on."