Dmitry Bivol currently holds the WBA, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles, with a trilogy showdown against Artur Beterbiev rumoured once again, but the three-belt unified titleholder has now been given just 10 days to agree to a fight with an alternate former world champion.
The Russian avenged his maiden career defeat by scoring a majority decision win in his rematch with Beterbiev to claim the undisputed throne in February 2025. Although, just two months later, Bivol relinquished the WBC crown with David Benavidez being the beneficiary.
Since then, Bivol has fought only once, making his ring return in a decision win against IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert back in May, before rumours of a third fight with Beterbiev re-emerged.
Yet, last month, Bivol was ordered to face former WBA (Super) super-middleweight world champion Callum Smith, who is currently in possession of the WBO Interim light-heavyweight title and positioned as the WBO mandatory challenger.
Bivol then underwent elbow surgery and was granted an extension to the negotiation period with Smith, but last night, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri revealed that an additional extension has been granted, giving the parties until August 20 to reach a deal.
“Re: WBO 175 lbs – Bivol/Smith
“The WBO Championships Committee has granted the parties a final extension, through August 20, 2026, to reach terms for the Mandatory bout, consistent with the WBO’s 1 World Champion per division policy and the objective of eliminating the Interim title.
“Should an agreement not be reached by the deadline, purse bid proceedings will be conducted on August 27, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.”
As Olivieri states, if an agreement is not reached by Thursday, August 20, then purse bid proceedings will take place on Thursday, August 27.
One option could see Bivol vacate his WBO light-heavyweight world title in favour of another clash with Beterbiev, with Smith expected to be elevated and thus become a two-division world champion.
