CANELO ALVAREZ and Callum Smith will now fight for the vacant WBC super-middleweight title.
Liverpool’s Smith was already defending his WBA and Ring Magazine belts in next Saturday’s headliner.
But promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the WBC crown – which David Benavidez lost on the scales in August – will now be up for grabs.
Canelo, who still has the WBC’s ‘Franchise’ title at middleweight, was lined up to fight Avni Yildrim for the super-middleweight strap.
But the two never even opened negotiations as Mexican star Alvarez, 30, searched for a bigger fight.
Unbeaten Smith, 30, had previously been named mandatory challenger for Benavidez’s belt having held the WBC ‘Diamond’ strap.
As a result, the governing body gave the green light for the Brit and Canelo to fight for the vacant 168lb world title.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said: “Canelo and Callum will give the world a superb closing of a difficult year and will make fans from around the world celebrate with much entertainment and enjoyment.
“I would like to personally praise Avni Yildirim for his exemplary collaboration to make this a reality.”
Hearn added: “I am delighted that the winner of this fight will be crowned the WBC World champion at 168lb.
“Canelo Alvarez is the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, and Callum Smith is the number one Super-Middleweight on the planet.
“So, it is fitting for the winner to proudly wear the green and gold belt on December 19.”
