Dmitry Bivol looked as if he was ready to move on from a trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev, but it now seems as though the unified light-heavyweight world champion is ready to run it back with his rival, thus opening the door for two Brits to compete for one of his belts.
Bivol claimed the undisputed light-heavyweight crown in February 2025 when he avenged his defeat to Beterbiev with a majority-decision win, but he soon relinquished the WBC marble – which was then handed to David Benavidez.
After 15 months of inactivity, Bivol returned to action in May to fulfil his IBF mandatory and shake off some ring rust against Germany’s Michael Eifert, but it was then believed that Bivol would proceed with his WBO mandatory and next face Liverpool’s Callum Smith, much to the frustration of Beterbiev.
Yet, in an interview with Ring Magazine, Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed that the 35-year-old is instead keen for a third fight with the Russian-Canadian. Therefore, he expects Bivol to vacate the WBO world title in order to make it happen, with Smith likely to rematch Joshua Buatsi for the vacant belt.
“I think it’s unlikely he will defend against Smith. I think Smith will fight Joshua Buatsi for the vacant title. But Dmitry is ready to make the Beterbiev fight.”
Smith decisioned Buatsi on the Beterbiev-Bivol II undercard in a Fight of the Year contender and Smith is yet to fight since, whilst Buatsi was seen as fortunate by some to get the decision when he returned and fought Zach Parker in November.
Smith and Buatsi could be set to top the bill of the second ‘Matchroom vs Queensberry’ event, which will likely take place in November.
