Canelo Alvarez in talks for shock fight with Chris Eubank Jr as British star emerges as new ‘favourite’ to land undisputed super-middleweight date

Chris Eubank Jr has emerged as the surprise favourite to face Canelo Alvarez – with the British fighter moving closer to a chance against the undisputed super-middleweight king.

Canelo last defended his 168-pound crown in dominant fashion against Jaime Munguia in May, knocking his fellow Mexican to the ground before earning a comfortable unanimous decision victory.

After securing his fourth consecutive win, the 33-year-old is now looking for his next opponent as he eyes a return to the ring later this year.

And according to ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, Eubank Jr. is the new favorite to challenge boxing’s biggest cash cow.

The former WBA title challenger – who has not fought since avenging his defeat to fellow Briton Liam Smith in September – is now believed to be in pole position after being listed as a potential opponent.

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He has long called for a showdown with Canelo, but he has been snubbed for a shot at the four-weight world champion in recent years.

However, with just two months to go until his 35th birthday, Eubank Jr might finally be able to get his long-awaited big win.

Fans have been clamoring for Canelo to fight another of his fellow Mexicans, the fearsome David Benavidez Jr., for some time now, but he seems uninterested in a rematch with his countryman.

He recently spoke to Fight Hub TV about Benavidez, who has won 24 of his 29 consecutive victories by knockout: “It might be one of the biggest fights, who knows. But you know, he doesn’t bring anything to the table for me, he just brings 25 pounds on fight night.

“But I think if a promoter, not him because he’s not in a position to offer me anything, I’m the one who gives me money, but if a promoter that I work with, if he offers me $150 million to $200 million, I’ll fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I’m fighting him, the only thing he brings to the table is 25 pounds more.”

“I don’t have any pressure to make the fight, I don’t need to fight anybody, I don’t need to prove anything to anybody because I remember when it happened with Golovkin. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody.”

Canelo has been considered one of the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in boxing for nearly a decade, losing just two of his 65 professional fights while winning world titles in four separate weight classes.

Eubank, meanwhile, has yet to get his hands on a recognised world championship after previously winning the lesser-regarded IBO super-middleweight belt.