Dublin boxer Luke Keeler is set to land a WBO world middleweight title shot against Demetrius Andrade in Miami at the end of January.
Andrade has been permitted to have a voluntary defence of his title, with Keeler lined up after his breakout win over Luis Arias in August.
Keeler, 32, withdrew from a planned bout in Scotland in November, saying he was in negotiations for a "big" fight.
The champion has been pursuing the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Billy Joe Saunders and Gennady Golovkin but has yet to face such a serious test. He has a perfect record of 28 wins from 28 fights.
Keeler (17-2-1) is ranked fourth with the WBO after his surprise victory over Arias. A formal announcement is expected later this month.
Another Irish boxer, Dennis Hogan, will challenge for the WBC title this Saturday in Brooklyn against Jermall Charlo.
