Dmitry Bivol Set for Mandatory Title Defense Against Callum Smith in Russia

Dmitry Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) will put his unified light heavyweight titles on the line against Callum Smith on Dec. 12 in Yekaterinburg.

Dmitry Bivol will defend his IBF, WBO, WBC, and Ring light heavyweight titles against Callum Smith on Dec. 12 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The WBO ordered the bout as a mandatory title defense for Bivol, who enters the ring with a professional record of 25-1 including 12 knockouts. ESPN reports the champion has competed once since February 2025, securing a victory over Michael Eifert in May.

Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) aims to become a two-division world champion after previously holding the WBA super middleweight belt. The British challenger has not fought since February 2025, when he defeated Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although he was slated for an April bout against David Morrell, an injury forced his withdrawal from that contest. Smith’s only career losses came against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2020 and Artur Beterbiev in 2024.

Should Bivol retain his unified status, he has expressed interest in future matchups with David Benavidez, Beterbiev, and a rematch with Alvarez. Both headliners have dealt with recent injury issues and periods of inactivity leading up to this December championship clash.