By Miguel Rivera
If Saul 'Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33KOs) decides to return to the junior middleweight division, World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel has no issue with sanctioning a world title fight against beltholder Liam Smith (20-0-1, 12KOs).
Canelo's team is currently in talks for a fight with WBC/WBA/IBO/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin. Most experts believe the contest will more than likely take place in 2017.
Canelo vacated the WBC middleweight title a few weeks ago. Although he captured the middleweight belt, he never fought beyond the catch-weight of 155 - which is one pound above the junior middleweight division. Canelo does not consider himself to be a middleweight and claims he can easily make the junior middle limit of 154.
Smith's promoter Frank Warren has claimed that Golden Boy Promotions, who promote Canelo, have expressed interest in facing his champion. Smith will return to the ring this coming Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool when he faces Predrag Radosevic.
Smith has been calling for a major fight in the fall, with Canelo, Miguel Cotto or even Kell Brook
Canelo is not ranked as a junior middleweight and he's never held a world title with the WBO. The sanctioning body would welcome sanctioning a fight between Canelo and Smith.
"The door is open for Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to fight for the WBO title whenever he wants doors," Varcarcel told El Vocero.
The WBC has also jumped in, stating that Canelo can challenge their newly crowned 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo (28-0, 13KOs) at any time. Charlo is very interested in securing that fight. First, Charlo has a mandatory due to Charles Hatley.
"We respect his decision [to vacate the WBC middleweight belt], but Saul has a open door with the WBC," said Sulaiman.
