‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s next opponent to be junior middleweight Liam Smith

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has his next opponent, and it’s not the one the boxing world wants.

The Mexican superstar will return to the junior middleweight division to face WBO champion Liam Smith on Sept. 17 in an HBO pay-per-view bout, Golden Boy Promotions announced Friday.

The venue wasn’t named, but it’s expected to be at T-Mobile Arena. Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett told the Review-Journal that T-Mobile Arena will be the site for Alvarez’s next bout.

“I am very pleased to announce my next fight against Liam Smith, a tremendous fighter with real knockout power, and the WBO junior middleweight world title owner,” Alvarez said in statement. “I have no doubt that this fight will be give and take, which will fill the expectations of the fans, and I will work with all the enthusiasm as I always do to get the upper hand (in the fight).”

Alvarez has spent his last two fights competing at a catchweight of 155 pounds. He was recently the WBC middleweight titleholder and is still considered the lineal middleweight champion.

Earlier this week, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya tweeted that the megafight between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin was put on hold until next September. K2 Promotions managing director and Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler said the two side have not agreed to the 2017 deal.

Alvarez was ordered by the WBC to come to an agreement with Golovkin, who was the mandatory challenger, in late May or be stripped of the middleweight belt. The Mexican boxer opted to give up the WBC title, which was later awarded to Golovkin, who also owns the WBA and IBF belts.

Alvarez is a two-time junior middleweight champion, but the decision to go back down in weight is odd. Golden Boy Promotions has stated that Alvarez needs a few fights at 160 to prepare for Golovkin. Instead, he’s chasing a third title at 154.

The name Liam Smith might be new to many boxing fans. Smith is an undefeated 27-year-old British boxer who has defended the WBO crown twice.

“I am delighted to get the opportunity to defend my world title against the biggest name in world boxing and to headline in the U.S. which is a dream I have had since I started in the sport of boxing,” Smith said in a statement.

Smith will be the second English fighter Alvarez has faced this year. Alvarez knocked out Amir Khan in May at T-Mobile Arena.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24