Nathan Cleverly has insisted that 'he has to perform' when he faces Robin Krasniqi for the WBO light-heavyweight title on March 16.

The 25-year-old is hopeful that an impressive display against Krasniqi will lead to a unification fight with either Beibut Shumenov, Bernard Hopkins or Tavoris Cloud.

However, after the Welshman revealed that the fight could be staged in Germany, where Krasniqi is based, he has admitted that he would have to be aggressive from the first bell.

Cleverly told reporters: "I think if the fight is in Germany, where it is notorious that the fighters get home decisions, I feel I'll really have to go out there and perform and put this guy to the sword.

"I've got to perform and impress against this guy and that's going to set up the rest of 2013 then for the big unification fights. Everything will fall into place after this fight.

"If it all goes well with the Krasniqi fight, Shumenov is definitely in my sights and I would definitely like to fight the winner of Hopkins and Tavoris Cloud."

Cleverly is currently unbeaten in 25 professional fights.