Canelo Alvarez set for Callum Smith showdown before Gennady Golovkin trilogy bout in May

CANELO ALVAREZ is in line to face Callum Smith in his next fight before moving on to a trilogy bout with Gennady Golovkin.

The Mexican superstar, 29, was due to challenge WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, 30, this summer until the coronavirus pandemic KO'd the clash.

Canelo has since remained in the gym as he targeted a return to the ring in September.

Saunders ruled himself out of headliner, citing an inability to train, sparking a host of contenders putting their name into the Canelo sweepstake.

John Ryder, 32, Jason Quigley, 28 and Sergiy Derevyanchenko, 34 were among those considered.

But WBA super-middleweight champion Smith has now emerged as the frontrunner, according to .

It is claimed the unbeaten 30-year-old has been offered £4million to defend his title against Canelo.

But Smith - whose brother Liam was beaten by Alvarez in 2016 - is said to be pushing for £5m.

Canelo was hoping to fight on September 12, with a reduced crowd in attendance, but with an opponent yet to be confirmed, the date could be pushed back.

Waiting in the wings will be IBF middleweight champion Golovkin - who was unfortunate to walk away with a draw against Alvarez in 2017 before losing the rematch a year later.

It is understood the middleweight rivals have agreed to a May 2021 trilogy.

Canelo is reportedly in line for a £35m payday, with GGG set to pocket £23.5m.