CEFN Fforest fighter Nathan Cleverly will have to wait even longer to take on WBA light-heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer, writes Andrew Penman.

Cleverly has been on a collision course with Braehmer for half a decade and recently revealed his desire to finally challenge the German for his world title next month.

But Braehmer will instead defend his title against fellow countryman Eduard Gutknecht at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg on March 12.

The fight is a rematch – Braehmer won the first fight on points in 2013.

Gutknecht steps in for original opponent Thomas Oosthuizen, who pulled out of the fight last week due to lack of preparation according to reports.

Former WBO champion Cleverly, aged 28, said his promoter Eddie Hearn was talking to Braehmer's promoters, Team Sauerland, last week.

"I want the fight, definitely, I'm very up for it. It's a fight that should happen," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"It's a good challenge and hopefully the promoters can do the deal.

"I'm ready to strike and I know Eddie Hearn has a good relationship with the Sauerland's, so let's get this fight on."

Braehmer was due to fight Cleverly in 2011 but pulled out injured, which saw the former Team Calzaghe fighter inherit his WBO title.

"I was meant to challenge him in the past and it just didn't happen. Then it was on for London, he pulled out days before the fight," Cleverly added.

"Now is the right time and this fight needs to happen.

"I've been ticking over in the gym, I'm just waiting for that call. Go to Germany on six weeks' notice? No problem. I'll be ready to go to war as soon as I get the call to say let's get it on."

Cleverly successfully defended his world title five times before losing it in a brutal defeat to Sergey Kovalev at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena in August 2013.

He made his comeback at light-heavyweight with a 24-second stoppage of Czech journeyman Tomas Man in May last year after losing to bitter rival Tony Bellew at cruiserweight in November 2014.

Cleverly has not fought since his points defeat against Andrzej Fonfara in October, a contest where he suffered a broken nose but also received plaudits for his battling performance.