WBC has stated no one is a mandatory unless they say so! Even after ranking fighters, #1 don't mean a thing. Canelo has not ever fought a #1 contender. But instead have all these #1 contender eliminators. Now they was Vanes to fight Lara for an eliminator instead of giving the #1 guy his due title shot. Canelo should be stripped for not fighting the top guy. But instead Vanes ranking has drop to #3. Here's Saul last 8 fights in which started his title reign . . .
8. Luciano Leonel Cuello (WBC Silver -vacant)
7.Carlos Manuel Baldomir
6.Lovemore Ndou
5.Matthew Hatton(WBC Full Title)
4.Ryan Rhodes
3.Alfonso Gomez
2.Kermit Cintron
1.Shane Mosley

BTW, he's now lined up Kirkland for his next fight. Still not top 3. And should be lower after that A$$whopping Molina gave him.