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The WBC has ordered a rematch between light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal and veteran Bernard Hopkins.

Champion Pascal retained the belt after being handed a controversial majority draw following their December 18 bout, a decision 45-year-old Hopkins called 'robbery'.

Pascal had been under contract to give Chad Dawson a rematch after a similarly controversial stoppage win earlier in 2010, but WBC president Jose Sulaiman said Hopkins must be given another shot first.

"The WBC board of governors has voted in favor of ordering the immediate rematch," Sulaiman said in a letter to both camps.

"The winner of this fight has the obligation to fight Chad Dawson immediately without any intervening contest."

Hopkins, who turns 46 later this month, was delighted with the news.

"I would like to thank Jose Sulaiman and the WBC board of governors for ordering an immediate rematch between Pascal and I," Hopkins said.

"This is a great thing for boxing and hopefully fans will get to see another great fight with Pascal and I. I'm looking forward to starting off the New Year by making history as the oldest athlete to win a major championship in any sport."

Hopkins' and Pascal's promoters have 30 days to reach a deal or a purse bid will be ordered.