By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes

The stage is almost set for a fall mega-fight between Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez of Mexico.

But before that can happen, at least for Cotto's WBC middleweight title, a deal must be reached with WBA/IBO champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin.

Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to Cotto's WBC title. The sanctioning body ordered the winner of Cotto vs. Daniel Geale to face Golovkin next. Cotto stopped Geale in four rounds on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Golovkin's promoter, Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, has no problem with Cotto vs. Canelo taking place in the fall - but he does have a problem if the WBC title is at stake.

The WBC will only sanction Cotto-Canelo if a step-aside agreement is reached with Golovkin.

"Miguel doesn't have to fight Gennady, but if he wants to keep the title we have to work something out. He had an impressive performance, looked strong against a middleweight and the three pounds probably didn't make a difference either way. So you have to give him a lot of credit," Loeffler told BoxingScene.com.

"If he wants to fight Canelo next, that's a big fight and it's not a fight that we were trying to block originally when we made the deal with the WBC and they were going to fight in May. The problem is they delayed it and that's where the issue comes in now as far as the mandatory obligation. We have a lot of respect for Miguel and his team, but Gennady's goal is to unify the middleweight titles and the WBC title is next."

"The WBC has made it clear that he can't fight Canelo unless there is some agreement worked out with Gennady. He would rather have a title than some agreement. We also have a good relationship with Roc Nation. We're not trying to put anyone on the spot, it's a matter of business."