Even after the title situation , the two sides continued to hold discussions .
Then Canelo announced that he was dropping back to junior middleweight to challenge WBO champion Liam Smith , who was untested and unknown in the United States and Mexico .
Even after the title situation , the two sides continued to hold discussions , but then Canelo announced that he was dropping back to junior middleweight to challenge WBO champion Liam Smith , who was untested and unknown in the United States and Mexico .