World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman is giving Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez a lot of respect for his desire to move up in weight by two full divisions to challenge WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.

Canelo, who holds WBC, WBA titles at middleweight, has targeted a fight with Kovalev on November 2 in Las Vegas. A deal is nearly complete for the bout.

Canelo has never fought any higher than the super middleweight limit of 168-pounds, when he moved up to the weight class last December to blow away Rocky Fielding for the WBA's "regular" title.

Kovalev fought last month, when he stopped mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde.

And Canelo saw action back in June, when he won a twelve round decision over Daniel Jacobs.

"Of course, it would be a feat of epic proportions. Kovalev is not just any neighbor's son, he is a boxer who has been tested with the greats, he put Andre Ward on the canvas, and Ward is one of the most important fighters of recent times. It would certainly be a great test for Canelo,” Sulaiman said.

"It would be a difficult fight, an important commitment, they are two divisions (apart in weight ), it is a big difference in weight, physical dimensions... so for Canelo to become victorious he will have to use his attributes thoroughly."

Sulaiman further added that Canelo "is a worthy representative and the WBC."