Las Vegas, Texas in play for Canelo Alvarez’s fight against Liam Smith

Canelo Alvarez’s move away from Gennady Golovkin was followed quickly by the announcement he’ll fight at 154 pounds against World Boxing Organization super-welterweight champion Liam Smith on Sept. 17.

The bout, surprisingly placed on HBO pay-per-view, is expected to land either at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or a venue in Texas, according to officials.

Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 knockouts) knocked out former 140-pound champion Amir Khan in the sixth round on May 7, in the first T-Mobile Arena boxing event, and, for show, summoned middleweight champion Golovkin into the ring to say he wasn’t afraid to fight him.

Golovkin has 22 consecutive knockouts and has won 16 consecutive World Boxing Assn. middleweight title bouts.

Upon further consideration by Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya, a decision was made to announce a bout with Golovkin would happen at 160 pounds in September 2017, with a 154-pound fight next.

In Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs), Alvarez meets an Englishman whose championship caliber is considered suspect even after he’s successfully defended his belt twice.

Alvarez said in a statement that Smith is, “a tremendous fighter with real knockout power. … I have no doubt that this fight will be give and take, which will fill the expectations of the fans, and I will work with all the enthusiasm as I always do to get the upper hand.”

Following a Saturday victory by another Brit, Chris Eubank Jr., Golovkin is expected shortly to announce that he’ll defend his three middleweight belts against Eubank in England.

That bout could also be placed on Sept. 17, with HBO televising that bout in the afternoon, U.S. time.

Smith will be a substantial underdog as a champion, but will also earn his largest purse.

“I am delighted to get the opportunity to defend my world title against the biggest name in world boxing and to headline in the U.S. which is a dream I have had since I started in the sport of boxing,” Smith said in a statement. “This fight allows me to make my name in the U.S. and show just how good I am and this is the big stage that will enable me to do that.”