Dmitry Bivol is about to be dealt a major roadblock which will likely prevent an undisputed showdown against David Benavidez.
Bivol currently holds the WBO, WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles, and returns to action on May 30 when he takes on Michael Eifert, marking the first time the Russian has been in action since his victory over Artur Beterbiev in February 2025.
That win saw Bivol become undisputed at 175lbs, but he later vacated the WBC strap, which then found its way into the possession of Benavidez, who has emerged as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters over the last year.
Earlier this month, Benavidez moved up to cruiserweight and stopped Gilberto Ramirez inside six rounds to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, but ‘The Mexican Monster’ has made it clear that his next goal is to head back to 175lbs and face Bivol.
It would have been the latest undisputed light-heavyweight battle, but it seems hopes of it happening soon have been ended, after WBO President Gustavo Olivieri revealed on social media that Callum Smith will soon be ordered as mandatory for Bivol.
Hello, Sir. The WBO will enforce Smith as Mandatory for Bivol after Eifert. Regards.
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) May 21, 2026
Smith was previously set to take on David Morrell last month before the Liverpudlian was forced to withdraw from injury, with Morrell instead taking on Zak Chelli and suffering a shock upset defeat, paving the way for Smith to be installed as mandatory.
Bivol may decide to vacate his WBO title and face Benavidez instead, or Smith may even agree to step aside and allow the undisputed fight to happen first, but one way or another, a decision will have to be made soon to determine the 175lb division’s future.
