By Steve Kim

It's not clear just when - and if - Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will defend his WBC middleweight title against their interim-titlist Gennady Golovkin. The WBC has announced a resolution that both boxers will be allowed to make voluntary defenses by May, with a negotiation process to take place after both respective fights have concluded. The hope is that the two will share a ring at some point in the second half of 2016.

Long-time boxing observer Larry Merchant believes this match-up will occur, eventually.

"I kind of think it'll happen maybe in 2017, which is what, fourteen, fifteen months away?," said Merchant, a few weeks ago as he appeared on 'the Next Round' podcast.

"(Alvarez) will fight a couple of fights, I think as an event that fight has to still 'cook'. You have to let it develop and bring to a boil. People have to really start clamoring for it and 'Canelo' has shown a willingness to step up."

Merchant stated it would be prudent for Alvarez to face the likes of Danny Jacobs (who stopped Peter Quillin in one round on December 5th) or Andy Lee ( before he got dethroned this past weekend of his WBO belt by BJ Saunders). Despite whatever hurdles that may exist in making those fights, Alvarez may have enough star power to overcome them.

''One of the things you have to realize is that by being a pay-per-view attraction, (Alvarez) can cross over the political and promotional problems of making fights. The only way you've been able to make those fights between  (Al)Haymon and other promoters is with pay-per-view fights,'' explained Merchant. "So all of that is very important and I'm just looking forward to seeing it unfold."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.