Josh Taylor will be obliged to defend his WBC belt against Jose Zepeda, the governing body’s president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed.
Taylor is the undisputed champion at 140lbs and defends his titles against his WBO mandatory against Jack Catterall on February 26 in Edinburgh.
After that, should he remain at the weight rather than move up to 147lbs for rumoured fights against the likes of Terrence Crawford, Sulaiman believes he will need to take on Zepeda.
The 32-year-old American needed just one round to defeat Josue Vargas in New York in October.
Sky Sports asked Sulaiman if Zepeda would be next in line, and he answered: "Absolutely. Zepeda is the mandatory contender in the division.
"We have agreed with the organisations to take turns when there is a unified champion.
"It is the WBO's turn with Jack Catterall. Unfortunately there was an injury so their fight was postponed.
"But Zepeda is right there in line for the mandatory of the division."