Eddie Hearn, promoter for WBA super middleweight Callum Smith, feels very confident that his boxer is frontrunner to face Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Several other names have been mentioned in recent weeks - including David Lemieux, John Ryder and even Jason Quigley.
But among the boxers named, Smith has been tabbed by many insiders as the preferred choice.
Hearn admits that his boxer won't come at a discount. Smith wants to be properly compensated for such a contest.
"I’m almost certain that Canelo Alvarez’s first choice is Callum Smith, of the people available," Hearn told Boxing Social.
"Because it would make him the legitimate number one 168-pounder if he beats him. I know Canelo loves challenges. He loves to fight the best and [fight] champions. But also Callum Smith is expensive. He’s the Ring magazine champion and WBA champion. Of course he’s going to be expensive. There’s no way around that.
For the last few months, Canelo has been scheduled to return on September 12.
That plans seems very unlikely at this point.
In the best case scenario, Hearn could see the contest taking place later on. Some insiders could see Canelo's return taking place on a date in November.
"We have to really say September 12 is dead," Hearn said. "And it’s difficult because Callum Smith doesn’t want to be training as he is if September 12th is not happening. And there’s no confirmation of that. I’m asking people at DAZN, but the generally feeling is unlikely now.
"But when will it be? You don’t want to taper back in training and then [hypothetically we] say we’re going September 22nd. As difficult as it can be, fighters can say to themselves the 12th’s not happening, but maybe the 22nd will. It’s not my business, but it would be an honor for one of my guys to get another shot at Canelo Alvarez."