Hamzah Sheeraz was being explored as a possible opponent for Canelo Alvarez until Frank Warren pulled the plug.

The unbeaten middleweight is riding a 15-fight knockout streak and is widely considered to be one of Britain’s brightest young boxers.

Alvarez boasts the highest earnings in the boxing worldRyan Hafey/PBC

He is currently in a strong position to challenge for world titles at 160lbs after snatching the European belt from Tyler Denny on the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercard last month.

But according to Warren, Sheeraz’s first shot at world honours could have come against WBC, WBA and WBO super middleweight king Canelo.

Speaking to BoxNation, the Queensberry Boxing chief said: “There’s some great fights, we were offered the Canelo fight earlier this year.

“But I said ‘No, not yet’. Good money, really good money.

“I don’t know where it would have been, it’s just an offer was made.”

For now, Sheeraz will focus on collecting belts at middleweight.

On Tuesday, the WBO ordered their champion Janibek Alimkhanuly – who is also in possession of the IBF strap – to defend his titles against Sheeraz following his two-round blowout at Wembley Stadium.

A ruling from WBO Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista-Salas reads: “Please be advised that the parties herein are hereby ordered to commence negotiations for the
subject matter bout.

“The camps are granted 15 days to reach an agreement.

“Failure to reach an agreement within the time provided herein will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings pursuant to WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

Warren claims Sheeraz was offered a fight with Canelo earlier this yearGETTY

“The minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Middleweight Division is $200,000.00.

“Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid ceremony at any time during the negotiation process.”

Janibek has come out on social media and declared that he is ‘ready’ for the fight while Warren seems equally as enthusiastic.

“We’ve got the next week or so to sort this out. Bob [Arum] and I will talk and I’m quite sure it will get over the line.

“If it does take place, then it will take place in Riyadh.”