WBC tells Canelo to fight Golovkin or lose middleweight title

Canelo Alvarez is about to be caught between a rock and a hard place.

The World Boxing Council confirmed Wednesday that it will strip Alvarez of the WBC middleweight title if he doesn't face WBA, IBF, IBO, and interim WBC champion Gennady Golovkin, according to Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports.

That matchup is dependent on Alvarez defeating Amir Khan on May 7. If successful, Alvarez will have 15 days to sign a bout agreement with Golovkin.

The two stars have been at odds over the potential bout, with Alvarez stipulating that he'll only fight Golovkin at a catchweight of 155 pounds. The larger Golovkin has insisted they meet at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds.

Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, has been critical of Alvarez's camp for allegedly dissuading Alvarez from taking the fight.

"I do not think Canelo is afraid of Golovkin," said Sanchez. "I think more than anything it's to do with Canelo's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya. I think he's the one who is trying to avoid the fight."

Golovkin moved to a perfect 35-0 with a second-round KO of Dominic Wade on Saturday. If Alvarez gets past Khan, he may have no choice but to fight him.