Alvarez failed a voluntary anti-doping test conducted in his home in the Mexican city of Guadalajara on February 17 after his sample indicated traces of clenbuterol, which is used to help sufferers of chronic breathing disorders such as asthma.

A second sample he gave a few days later on February 21 also showed traces of the drug, leading the Nevada State Athletic Commission to temporarily suspend Alvarez.

His case is set to be heard on May 18.

Alvarez insists he is clean and claims the substance was accidentally ingested via contaminated meat, a similar defence used by Britain's Tyson Fury and his cousin Hughie Fury when they tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in 2016.

Clenbuterol is regularly administered to cattle throughout Mexico to make meat leaner.

Other Mexican boxers, including Eric Morales and Francisco Vargas, have also tested positive for clenbuterol in the past.

Alvarez, a member of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Programme for five years, however, claimed he would not use banned performance-enhancing drugs.

"I have always been a clean fighter and I will always be a clean fighter," he said.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar, also a Mexican, has declared his support for Alvarez.

"What Saul wants is to clear his name, his trajectory has been affected by this doping issue," he said.

"We know he is a clean athlete and, as we have stated, we will support him.

"We all have the right to be heard and we will have to wait for the final determination."

A postponed bout between Alvarez and Golovkin could take place as soon as September at the discretion of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Golovkin’s management, however, insists they still want a fight on May 5 and are actively looking for a replacement for Alvarez.