By Lem Satterfield

IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud is set to defend his title against veteran challenger Fulgencio Zuniga on the December 17 undercard to the WBC heavyweight eliminator between 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Odlanier Solis and Cleveland's Ray Austin at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

A win over Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 knockouts) could be the final step before Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs) faces former champion Chad Dawson (29-1, 17 KOs), or the winner of Jean Pascal vs. Bernard Hopkins, taking place on December 18.

"I don't know too much about him, but I know that he has a desire to fight for the light heavyweight championship of the world. I know that he will be trying to capitalize on that opportunity, and that I am not taking him lightly at all. I know that he's going to bring his 'A' game and that he's going to try to do his absolute best. So, you know, I'm not sleeping on this guy at all," Cloud said.

The champion expects a decent amount of local supporters to show their support at the fight, and in turn - Cloud plans to put on a show.

"Miami is like a seven or eight hour drive from Tallahassee. I'm expecting some people to come to the fight. You know, some people may not come because it's the holiday season and everything. But regardless, Tavoris Cloud is the only fighter in the world that doesn't need another fighter to be an exciting fighter," Cloud said.

Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.