By Rick Reeno

Wynn,Las Vegas - BoxingScene.com has been advised by World Boxing Organization President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel that Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs) could very well become the mandatory challenger to WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (23-0, 12KOs).

Canelo captured the WBO junior middleweight title in September with a bruising ninth round knockout of unbeaten champion Liam Smith at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Saunders has been inactive since capturing the WBO world title last December with a decision victory over Andy Lee at the Manchester Arena. He was scheduled to return on October 22nd, at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff against Artur Akavov - but withdrew after suffering an injury and the fight was pushed back to November 26th.

Because of Saunders' inactivity, at the WBO's recent convention in Puerto Rico - the British fighter was ordered to make back to back mandatory defenses.

Because of Canelo's standing as the WBO champion at 154 - if he moved forward with his decision to move up to the middleweight division, and submits a request to become the mandatory challenger to the WBO champion at 160 - Valcarcel confirms that his organization would likely approve that request.

"[Canelo] could be the mandatory challenger because of being the junior middleweight champion. He could say 'make me the mandatory challenger at 160' and we would consider that. If he wants to move up and fight as the mandatory, we would consider that. Why not?," Valcarcel told BoxingScene.com.

According to the WBO Prez, Golden Boy Promotions (promoter for Canelo) and Frank Warren (promoter for Saunders) are already discussing the possibility of that fight for next May as part of Cinco De Mayo weekend. 

"They are negotiating. They started negotiations [at the convention] and they have continued negotiating," Valcarcel said.

Canelo injured his right hand in the win over Smith. If the hand heals up in time, there is a possibility that he'll take a fight in early 2017. Canelo is focused on fighting at least three times next year.

Saunders holds the only middleweight world title outside of Gennady Golovkin's grasp. Golovkin has the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO titles at 160-pounds and there are ongoing discussions to fight Canelo in September of 2017.