Nathan Cleverly's race for opponent

Nathan Cleverly is expected to be declared the full WBO light heavyweight champion by the end of the day - as a three-horse race began to decide his first challenger.

Champion Juergen Braehmer is expected stripped of the belt today after refusing to fight as scheduled on Saturday night, citing that a cut previously suffered in training has reopened.

Braehmer did not arrive in London last night as scheduled and it's claimed he did not inform the show's promoters that he had pulled out.

But Cleverly's manager, Frank Warren, could still stage a world title fight as planned at London's 02 Arena, as the Welshman is already the interim champion and could be upgraded to 'full' status.

Warren was today negotiating with potential challengers ranked in the WBO's top 15 and has made contact with Zsolt Erdei, Kariz Karuiki and Braimah Kamaoko.

All three are in training for fights over the next month and Erdei is based in Europe, with the Hungarian expected to be made a 'name your price' offer to face Cleverly.

The 36-year-old was due to face Byron Mitchell in Atlantic City on June 4 and would gladly trade in the fight for a world title shot, but must be within the 12st 7lb in time for Friday's weigh in.