Ordered by the WBC when Bellew decided to move up in a bid to face UK rival David Haye at heavyweight, mandatory challenger Briedis puts his position at number one on the line in a bid to claim the interim belt.
The winner will then either face Bellew in the summer for the green and gold title or be elevated to full status should the current ruler decide on remaining in the top division.
Following rounds of talks over the festive period and beyond, a deal has now been struck in principal between Briedis and IBO belt holder Huck for Germany in the spring.
“I got contracts through on Monday and Briedis v Huck is 90% certain to be April in Germany. We hope to be finalized shortly,” Briedis representative Al Siesta exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Everything is OK with the fight apart from a couple of things which will be fixed. Briedis v Huck is happening 99% and we are in contact with Mauricio Sulaiman of the World Boxing Council regarding negotiations.”
Undefeated Briedis has been patient since working his way to the top of the rankings, having featured on Bellew’s undercard victory over BJ Flores in Liverpool last October.
A stoppage win over Simon Vallily was enough to keep the Latvian ticking over until what looks on paper to be a bruising contest with two-time world champion Huck in the spring.
