With Dmitry Bivol set to defend his unified light-heavyweight titles against IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert, Callum Smith and David Morrell were due to face off to determine who is next in line. Now, after that fight was cancelled, the WBO have shared an update.
A former WBA super-middleweight world champion, Smith claimed the WBO Interim light-heavyweight world title when he outpointed Joshua Buatsi in a fight of the year contender last February.
Smith is yet to fight since, having waited patiently to see how the 175lb division unfolded and whether he would either be granted a shot at Bivol or upgraded to full world champion.
The WBO ordered Smith to take on his own mandatory challenger in Morrell. However, an injury to Smith saw the headline attraction pulled from that Liverpool card, which will instead now be headlined by Ben Whitaker.
On X, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri explained that Smith has 10 days to ‘submit a certified medical report’ detailing his injury and that he will have 180 days after Bivol’s fight with Eifert (Saturday, May 23) to fulfil his mandatory and take on Morrell.
“Matchroom Boxing has formally notified the WBO that Interim Light Heavyweight Champion Callum Smith has sustained an injury that prevents his participation in the scheduled mandatory bout against David Morrell.
“Accordingly, the WBO will grant Team Smith a 10-day period to submit a certified medical report detailing diagnosis, prognosis, recovery period, and expected return to competition.
“Pursuant to WBO regulations, Mr. Smith is afforded 180 days from the Bivol–Eifert bout to fulfill his mandatory obligation against Mr. Morrell. Failure to comply within this period will result in the WBO Interim Light Heavyweight title being declared vacant.
“The winner of Smith–Morrell MUST face the winner of Bivol–Eifert to terminate the Interim Champion status.”
Consequently, should the medical report be verified, the Liverpudlian has until Thursday, November 19, to defend his belt against Morrell, or else he will be stripped of the WBO Interim light-heavyweight title.
It is perhaps a favourable situation for Bivol, who may now be able to fit in a fight from his hit list – which includes a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev and a clash with WBC champion David Benavidez – before being ordered to face his WBO mandatory, be that Smith or Morrell.
