By Rick Reeno

Promoter Yvon Michel has advised BoxingScene.com that a deal is nearly complete for WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (21-1, 18KOs) to make his first defense of the title against former beltholder Tavoris Cloud (24-1, 19KOs) on an HBO televised date at the end of September or early October. The fight is going to take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Last month Stevenson shocked his division with a first round knockout of Chad Dawson. Cloud last fought on March 9th, when he lost his IBF title and suffered his first career blemish by way of a twelve round decision loss to Bernard Hopkins.

The winner of Stevenson-Cloud will have to face mandatory challenger Tony Bellew (20-1-1, 12KOs) in 90 days.

"Late in June we got a letter from the WBC that [told us] we had to fight Tony Bellew next as our mandatory. We made a request to fight a voluntary before the mandatory. On Sunday we got a letter from the WBC that we were granted permission for an optional defense.  With Tavoris Cloud things are looking good. I've had several discussions with [Cloud's promoter] Don King and I believe that fight is going to happen. It's just a question of administration now, to do the paperwork," Michel told BoxingScene.com.

"It's going to be on HBO, at the end of September or beginning of October. Adonis Stevenson, if everything goes as I expect it to, will be fighting Tavoris Cloud on HBO and then the winner will face the mandatory Tony Bellew in 90 days. It was always our goal to have Adonis fight twice this year and we are on schedule."