Nathan Cleverly has acknowledged that he has been looking to face Juergen Braehmer for a number of years.
The Welshman will attempt to become a two-time world champion at light-heavyweight when he faces WBA title holder Braehmer on Saturday, five years after the pair were initially supposed to fight on the same card as the super-middleweight showdown between James DeGale and George Groves.
However, Cleverly has suggested that he has benefited from waiting for the fight to happen and has backed himself to surprise the long-reigning champion, who is making the seventh defence of his belt.
The 29-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Getting Braehmer into a boxing ring with me has been difficult but here we are and I'm looking to take it with both hands.
"I feel more mature now. I'm 29 and more mature mentally and physically. I feel in a better place and I'm ready for chapter two in my career.
"It's too big an opportunity, this. There were a few options on the table but this is the one I want. The world title on the line, Braehmer with history, five years in the making. I just felt this fight needed to happen.
Cleverly has previously held the WBO crown but his two-year reign ended when he was knocked out by Sergey Kovalev in 2013.
Darren Plant
