BBC Sport Wales understands that Joe Calzaghe will make the 15th defence of his WBO super middleweight against an American opponent. Either Scott Pemberton or Kabary Salem are being lined up for the bout at the Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh (22 October).
All-action fighter Pemberton boasts two recent wins over Omar Sheika, whilst New York-based Egyptian Salem is off a disputed loss to Mario Veit.
Edinburgh's Alex Arthur will defend his IBF Intercontinental title on the bill.
Having failed to land a meaningful fight at light heavyweight following the collapse of his challenge for Glen Johnson's IBF title, Calzaghe has been searching for a viable opponent at 168lbs.
He was desperate to avoid a rematch with the WBO's number-one contender Mario Veit, a fighter the Welshman destroyed inside a round back in 2001.
 Calzaghe did not want a rematch with Mario Veit |
When Calzaghe was expected to move up a weight, Veit became his heir-in-waiting with a controversial split decision over Salem in Dortmund. It seems, though, that the WBO have been persuaded to bypass his claims for a title shot.
Salem, 36 and known as the 'Egyptian Magician,' has been a professional for seven years, holding a record of 23-3-0 (12 KOs).
The higher quality of opponents are on 37-year-old Pemberton's record of 28-3-1 (12 KOs).
A well known, popular fighter on the US circuit, 'the Sandman's' two fights with Sheika were minor classics and he lost a six-round thriller to Calzaghe-victim Charles Brewer back in 2002.
MMIX
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