RING and WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson could face Tavoris Cloud on HBO in September or October, with the winner to meet Tony Bellew if negotiations are successful between Steven’s promoter, Yvon Michel, and Don King, who promotes Cloud.

Stevenson (21-1, 17 knockouts) is coming off last month’s 76-second stoppage of former champion Chad Dawson, while Cloud (24-2, 19 KOs) was derailed as IBF beltholder by Bernard Hopkins in his last fight in March.

Bellew (20-1-1, 12 KOs) became the WBC’s mandatory challenger in May with a unanimous decision over Isaac Chilemba. The WBC has mandated a purse bid on July 26 if Michel and Bellew’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, cannot come to an agreement.

“Our next fight for Adonis will be on HBO, either at the end of September or the beginning of October. It’s still to be finalized. And we are doing well in the negotiations, which are productive with Don King for a Stevenson and Cloud fight. The WBC has granted a voluntary defense for Adonis Stevenson before fighting the mandatory, who is Bellew,” said Michel, who would host Stevenson-Cloud in Montreal.

“The WBC has requested for us to make a deal with Bellew before July 26. If not, there will be a purse bid and the winner of Stevenson-Cloud will have to fight Bellew within 90 days after their fight. So we can fight Cloud first, if we come to an agreement with Don King, and fight Bellew after. We’ve had some discussions with HBO, but we’re talking about the end of September or early October, and we should know the exact date within a week. The winner will have to fight Bellew within 90 days.”

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]