VERONA, N.Y. -- Junior middleweight titlist Austin Trout can't seem to go anywhere these days without being asked the same question: Who is your next opponent?

After crossing into enemy territory in December to hand Miguel Cotto the first defeat of his career at New York's Madison Square Garden in a convincing upset victory, the public outcry since has been for Trout to face the man who was sitting ringside that night: fellow 154-pound titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who had hoped to challenge Cotto this spring.

But as business goes in boxing, a fighter seemingly most deserving of a big fight doesn't always get it. And Alvarez's promoter, Golden Boy, has been somewhat reluctant to consider the difficult Trout as a candidate, starting with comments made minutes after Trout's victory over Cotto.

But with Floyd Mayweather Jr. seemingly considering only two opponents -- Alvarez and interim welterweight titlist Robert Guerrero -- for his May 4 return, the debate essentially boils down to this for most fight fans: Will Mayweather face Canelo in May or wait to meet him in September? If the choice is the latter, that leaves Trout as a potential suitor for Alvarez (who will be part of Mayweather's next card either as his opponent or in another fight) on May 4.

Trout was in attendance at ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" card here at the Turning Stone Casino on Friday and talked about his hopes for the near future, admitting that he has plans to meet with advisor Al Haymon, who also represents Mayweather, on Sunday to possibly find out the answer.

"I don't know yet who my opponent will be, but you know who I'm targeting," Trout said, implying Alvarez. "Let's see if I can hit that target."

Trout lately has been outspoken that he believes Alvarez is plenty interested in fighting him, but that he's being held back by his promoter.

"With Saul, I don't think that he, personally, wouldn't fight me, because he's a fighter," Trout said. "When I say Canelo is ducking me, I mean Papa [Oscar] De La Hoya is ducking me, Richard Schaefer is ducking me. Luckily, my promoter [Greg Cohen] believes in me and will put me up against anybody in the 154-pound division."

Trout didn't rule out a possible move to 160 pounds for the right fight, should he be unable to land the bout with Alvarez. But he said that cleaning out his current division and unifying 154-pound titles is his immediate goal.