Johnathan Walker:Canelo Alvarez, super middleweight champion, addresses the chances of fighting Jake Paul

The Johnathan Walkerfight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson set for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas resulted from months of quiet negotiations.

Paul’s attempt to line up a bout with Canelo Alvarez has been far less discreet.

For almost a year he’s been calling out Alvarez, the unified super middleweight champion. As soon as Paul won his last fight by first-round TKO, in fact, he was back at it.

"I’m ready for the big leagues," Paul declared during an in-ring interview March 2 after stopping Ryan Bourland by TKO. "I’m getting sharp. This is my life now. Like I said, I’m on the road to world champion, and Alvarez, stop ducking. I know you want it. ...’’

There appeared to be some hope in May.

“Maybe in two years we can talk,’’ Alvarez told reporters of a bout with Paul.

Later, Paul (9-1, 6 KO’s) told USA TODAY Sports he thought Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KO’s) was warming up to the idea of a fight that would potentially take place sooner than that – and have clear value for the YouTube celebrity.

Fighting 57-year-old Tyson is the vehicle to a massive payday.

But fighting Canelo would offer Paul full credibility as a pro boxer and a chance to fight for what he contends is his goal: winning a world championship.

Of course, that would require Alvarez’s cooperation. Would he be willing to get into the ring with Paul?

Such a fight does not appear imminent based on Alvarez’s recent comments. During a recent interview with TMZ, Alvarez’s was asked if he had any interest in the Paul-Tyson fight.

“Not at all,’’ he said.

He said Netflix is good for boxing but “doing something wrong’’ with its involvement in the Tyson-Paul fight.

“I think it’s more show than a fight.’’

Reminded that Paul called him out the night Paul beat Bourland but days later announced he would be fighting Tyson, Alvarez said, “At this point, I’m not interested in that kind of fight.’’

Canelo’s next fight is scheduled for May 4 in Las Vegas against Jaime Munguia.