NATHAN Cleverly’s five-year wait for a crack at Juergen Braehmer will finally come to an end tonight when the two clash in Germany.

And even though the Welshman’s moment has arrived he is still prepared to wait just that little bit longer to end the WBA world light-heavyweight champion’s reign.

Cefn Fforest’s Cleverly and 37-year-old Braehmer were set to meet in 2011 before the latter withdrew through injury and was stripped of his WBO crown.

Cleverly, 29, succeeded his rival and went on to defend the title five times – he was dethroned by Sergey Kovalev in Cardiff in April 2013.

But, barring any last-minute hitches, Cleverly and Braehmer are set to get it on at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg.

Speaking before yesterday’s weigh-in, Cleverly, a former British, Commonwealth and European champion, predicted a tough night for his foe.

“I think it’s going to be a long fight,” he said. “We are both experienced operators and top class fighters and it could go the distance, but I’m ready for that.

“I’m going to bring my strength to the ring and use my high output to get on top of him.

“Braehmer has got good boxing skills with a powerful left hand which he is going to be looking to use. I think it’s going to be a contrast of styles.

“He’s 37 and coming towards the back end of his career now so he tries to minimise his output to make it easier for himself.

“I was a young world champion the first time and I’m more mature now, I’ve grown into a man and have that extra strength.”

Cleverly was effectively handed his first world title outside the ring when Braehmer dropped out of their fight five years ago.

If he does become a two-time world champion tonight by taking the German’s belt from him then he admits it will be a different feeling.

“This has been five years in the making and I believe it’s my destiny to win this,” he added.

“Myself and Braehmer have history and I feel this is a fight I am going to win, and I think he knows how much this means to me after what happened before.

“Being world champion before was brilliant and I loved every minute of it but it’s different this time because I’ll be ripping the title off him in the ring.

“To be a world champion once is great, to be a world champion twice would be an exceptional achievement.”

Meanwhile, Blackwood heavyweight Hari Miles, one of Cleverly’s sparring partners ahead of the bout, faces unbeaten Kash Ali tonight at York Hall in London.