Alvarez handed Ortiz test

Saul Alvarez will make the next defence of his WBC light-middleweight title against Victor Ortiz in Las Vegas on September 15.

American to step up to 154lbs to face 'Canelo'

Saul Alvarez will make the next defence of his WBC light-middleweight title against Victor Ortiz in Las Vegas on September 15. Golden Boy promotions surprisingly announced the fight with Ortiz currently focusing on a difficult match-up against Josesito Lopez on Saturday week. However, Golden Boy were keen to officially name the next opponent for 'Canelo' after original foe James Kirkland pulled out injured and then replacement Paul Williams suffered paralysis in a motorbike accident. Ortiz will step up to 154lb for the first time against Alvarez but first needs to take care of Lopez - standing in for Andre Berto - at welterweight. Ortiz had been due to take on Berto in a rematch of last year's world title clash that saw both fighters on the deck. But Berto recently failed a drugs test leaving Ortiz to search for a new opponent. "I personally do not like to make fights happen if we know there is a fighter already fighting beforehand," said Golden Boy president Oscar Del La Hoya. "Obviously, depending on who wins on June 23, we have already in place plans to go ahead with a very strong card on September 15.