According to promoter Ben Shalom of BOXXER, cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe must wait out the situation with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez before figuring out his world title plans.

Last month, Riakporhe has put himself in line for a world title opportunity with a fifth round stoppage of Olanrewaju Durodola to capture the WBC silver cruiserweight belt.

WBC world champion Ilunga Makabu is slated to make a mandatory defense next month against Thabisu Mchunu - but Canelo has already been approved to face the winner, preferably Makabu, in May.

There is a good possibility that Canelo will go in another direction, by making a defense of his undisputed super middleweight crown or moving up to 175-pounds to pursue a title in that weight class. Canelo's handlers have already spoken with Top Rank about the possibility of facing their light heavyweight champions, Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith.

Until Canelo finalizes his plans for May, Shalom will steer Riakporhe very carefully.

"A lot of the cruiserweight division is on hold to see what Canelo does," Shalom said to Sky Sports.

"He is the biggest star in boxing and every governing body will make room for him. The whole division - Riakporhe, Lawrence Okolie, Mairis Briedis - is having to wait for him. Richard is only looking one way - towards a world title. We are assessing which route that may be. Expect to see news pretty quickly.

"[Riakporhe] has had a great year by announcing himself back on the scene. He is in world title contention, particularly with the WBC. We are waiting to see what happens with Makabu and Canelo. There is a lot of opportunity in that division. Even domestically, which is a scene that Richard has already blitzed through, it is a really exciting division. We saw Isaac Chamberlain win."