Dmitry Bivol may not get the fights he wants this year – or be forced to go through with them one belt down.
The Russian pound-for-pound star has been out since his rematch with Artur Beterbiev in February 2025, a points win after losing the first fight.
Bivol’s undisputed reign lasted just a couple of months before he dropped the WBC belt rather than fight mandatory challenger David Benavidez – who was upgraded to full champion – in favour of a trilogy with Beterbiev.
Talks for the trilogy stalled and the unified champion then suffered an injury on his back which required surgery in August. Now recovered, he recently announced a mandatory defence against top IBF contender Michael Eifert.
He has also named a hit list of opponents that includes the third fight with Beterbiev – whose team are becoming frustrated by the delay – Benavidez and perhaps a rematch with Canelo Alvarez. Bivol has also not ruled out moving up to cruiserweight to become a two-division world champion.
Those plans will please fans, but the sanctioning body rotation is now in motion and, as reported by the Ring Magazine, the WBO are set to order Bivol to face the winner of Callum Smith vs David Morrell, which takes place on April 18 in Liverpool for the interim title.
Should Bivol want to keep hold of the WBO belt, which he holds alongside the WBA and IBF, it could have major repercussions for the division.
Benavidez intends to drop back down to light-heavyweight after his cruiserweight world title challenge against Gilberto Ramirez in May, but the lack of an undisputed clash with Bivol may make him reconsider, or instead pursue Beterbiev.
