Dmitry Bivol has been ordered to face his next mandatory challenger.
The unified light-heavyweight champion recently returned to the ring for an IBF mandatory defence against Michael Eifert in Russia and has now been instructed by the WBO to face its interim champion and number one contender, Callum Smith.
“The WBO World Championship Committee has officially ordered the commencement of negotiations for the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship between WBO World Champion Dmitrii Bivol & Interim World Champion Callum Smith.
“Consistent with the WBO Regulations and our longstanding One Champion Policy, the purpose of this mandatory championship contest is to discharge the mandatory title defence obligation & terminate the Interim Championship status. The parties have twenty (20) days to reach terms, failing which purse bid proceedings may be ordered. Official order notice to be published today.”
Following elbow surgery, Bivol is understood to be prioritising the Smith fight rather than relinquishing the belt in pursuit of a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. With both men promoted by Matchroom Boxing, there should be little standing in the way of an agreement.
Smith last competed in February 2025, outpointing Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision in a hard-fought contest that was widely regarded as one of the fights of the year. He had been due to face David Morrell in April but withdrew through injury, leading to late replacement Zach Chelli producing a major upset by stopping the Cuban.
Should Bivol and Smith reach an agreement, the winner would likely find themselves firmly in the sights of the division’s other world champion, David Benavidez, who has repeatedly made it clear that a showdown with the Russian remains one of his top priorities.
