Canelo Alvarez in talks over shock Chris Eubank Jr fight as British star emerges as the new 'favorite' to land undisputed super-middleweight date

Chris Eubank Jr has emerged as the shock frontrunner to face Canelo Alvarez - with the British fighter closing in on a shot at the undisputed super-middleweight king.

Canelo last defended his 168lbs crown in dominant fashion against Jaime Munguia back in May, dropping his fellow Mexican to the canvas before earning a comfortable unanimous decision victory.

After racking up his fourth straight win, the 33-year-old is now on the hunt 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 next.

It is believed the former WBA title challenger - who has not fought since avenging his defeat to fellow Brit Liam Smith back in September - now finds himself in pole position after being listed as a potential opponent.

He has long called for a showdown with Canelo, only to be snubbed for a shot at the four-weight world champion in recent years.

However, two months out from his 35th birthday Eubank Jr may finally be in line for the blockbuster payday he has long been craving.

Fans have been clamoring for Canelo to scrap it out with another of his fellow Mexicans, the fearsome David Benavidez Jr, for quite some time, yet he appears to have little interest in that grudge match with his compatriot.

He recently told Fight Hub TV about Benavidez, who has claimed 24 of his 29 straight victories by knockout: 'Maybe it’s one of the biggest fights, who knows. But you know, he brings nothing to he table for me, he just brings 25 pounds on the night of the fight.

'But I feel if some promoter, not him because he’s not in a position to offer anything me any money, I’m the one, but if one promoter who I work with, if they offer $150m-$200m, I fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I fight with him, the only thing he brings to the table is 25 more pounds.

'No 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 this 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 close to a decade, losing just two of his 65 pro contests while clinching world titles in four separate weight classes.

Eubank, meanwhile, is yet to get his hands on a recognized world championship after previously winning the lesser-regarded IBO strap at super-middleweight.