World light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is targeting a fight with Bernard Hopkins this year, if he successfully defends his belt in March.

Welshman Cleverly is due to fight Robin Krasniqi on March 16, and wants a big-name fight after that, with Hopkins jumping to the top of his list.

Hopkins, 47, is the oldest man ever to win a world title and could break his own record against IBF champion Tavoris Cloud in the spring.

"Hopkins has jumped to the top of my list," said Cleverly. "He's the fight I want.

"I've got to perform and impress against this guy (Krasniqi) and that's going to set up 2013 then for the big unification fights.

"Everything will fall into place after this fight. If all goes well with the Krasniqi fight, I would definitely like to fight the winner of Hopkins and Tavoris Cloud."

The 25-year-old from South Wales currently has a record of 25 wins from 25 fights.