The WBC have ordered Shakur Stevenson to defend his lightweight world title against William Zepeda next.
Purse bids are set to be scheduled for August 20 if a deal cannot be agreed between the parties, with an Autumn date being the most likely target given both fighters' schedules.
2
Stevenson is now a free agent after completing the final fight on his Top Rank contract against Artem Harutyunyan earlier this month, which he won on points.
As a result, a bidding war is expected to ensue for Stevenson's next outing with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and Floyd Mayweather's Mayweather Promotions both recently expressing interest in linking up with the 27-year-old.
Zepeda's promoter Golden Boy Promotions would also undoubtedly bid, if the fight goes to purse bids, while Top Rank could make a surprise splash, driving up the price.
Despite this, it remains unclear whether Golden Boy will pursue the contest.
READ MORE ON BOXING
Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya has been very insistent that he won't make the fight unless Stevenson signs with Golden Boy beforehand.
Meanwhile, the boxing icon wrote on X last night: "Check this out. @WilliamZepeda2 is so badass he has four sanctioning bodies to choose from. Nobody will tell him who he must fight next."
Zepeda is currently ranked No.1 by all four major sanctioning bodies but he may only have two routes to choose from with WBA champion Gervonta Davis and IBF titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko currently in talks for a unification clash this November.
Outside of the WBC, he could take a fight with WBO champion Denis Berinchyk, who won the title in May by beating Emanuel Navarrete via split decision.
2
Zepeda has proved to be a formidable competitor with none of his opponents able to ask any serious questions of the Mexican during his 31-fight (31-0) career thus far.
'Camaron' has ended 27 of his 31 wins inside the distance and holds decent victories over former world title challenger Maxi Hughes, and former IBF super-featherweight champion Joseph Diaz.
Most read in Boxing
The 28-year-old blasted out Giovanni Cabrera earlier this month inside three rounds with a vicious flurry to the body and then called out 'all four champions'.
Gervonta Davis reels off six-fight hit list of Shakur Stevenson, Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez, but includes Floyd Mayweather grudge match after signing new mega-deal
When De La Hoya took to the mic he made it clear that Berinchyk would likely come first, followed by Stevenson.
Read More on talkSPORT
“William Zepeda is number one in every organization,” De La Hoya said.
“The WBO champion is a relatively easy fight to make. We will pursue that and then probably down the line, rather sooner than later, we will go up against Shakur Stevenson.”
Boxing WhatsApp channel
Get the latest fight news, reaction and the best opinion from talkSPORT pundits in our Boxing WhatsApp channel.
Follow our Boxing channel HERE.