Bivol-Smith WBO Mandatory Reportedly Set for Dec. 12 in Ekaterinburg, Russia

Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith have reached terms for their WBO light-heavyweight title fight, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled purse bid. The bout is being planned for 12 December in Ekaterinburg, Russia, with RCC Promotions to promote it, according to Fight Freaks Unite, which cited sources with knowledge of the plans.

The WBO confirmed that it had received written notice from Bivol’s representatives at RCC Boxing and Smith’s team at Matchroom Boxing that an agreement was in place for the mandatory contest. The sanctioning body had previously given the sides until 27 August to agree terms or proceed to a purse bid.

“Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee has received written confirmation from RCC Boxing, on behalf of WBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, and Matchroom Boxing, on behalf of mandatory challenger Callum Smith, confirming that the parties have reached terms, including an agreed date and venue for the WBO light heavyweight mandatory championship contest,” WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced.

“The WBO respectfully defers to the parties to formally announce the date, venue, and event details in due course.”

Bivol holds the WBO, WBA and IBF titles at 175lbs, as well as The Ring championship, after avenging his defeat to Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in February 2025. He later vacated the WBC belt, with David Benavidez elevated from interim champion to full titleholder by that organisation.

The Smith fight would be Bivol’s second defence since regaining the championship from Beterbiev. After a 15-month absence following back surgery, Bivol returned on 30 May in Ekaterinburg and made his IBF mandatory defence against Michael Eifert, scoring a first-round knockdown on his way to a shutout decision.

Bivol has also been recovering from left elbow surgery, which was described as a procedure to clean up loose particles on 23 July in Russia. The supplied information says he is expected to be ready for Smith, and that, should he win, he would like a third fight with Beterbiev.

Smith, the WBO interim champion, has not fought since outpointing Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh in February 2025. He had been due to face David Morrell on 18 April, with the winner in line for a mandated shot at Bivol, but withdrew because of a rib injury suffered in training camp.

Morrell instead fought Zak Chelli on 9 May and was stopped in the 10th and final round, after which the WBO moved to order Bivol against Smith. The next formal step is the official announcement of the date, venue and event details by the parties involved.