Bivol Set to Defend Light-Heavyweight Titles Against Smith in Russia

YEKATERINBURG: Dmitry Bivol, the reigning light-heavyweight world champion from Russia, is scheduled to defend his titles against Britain’s Callum Smith on December 12. The announcement was made by Matchroom Boxing on Monday, marking a significant clash in the boxing calendar.

Bivol, 35, currently holds the WBA, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine titles, while 36-year-old Smith, hailing from Liverpool, is the WBO’s interim champion and the mandatory challenger for Bivol’s titles. Bivol previously relinquished the WBC belt in pursuit of a highly anticipated third fight with Artur Beterbiev, which has yet to materialize.

This matchup is particularly intriguing as both fighters have faced Beterbiev in the past. Smith suffered a defeat to Beterbiev in 2024, while Bivol faced him later, losing a rematch after previously defeating the Canadian-Russian boxer. Bivol, who underwent elbow surgery in July, boasts an impressive record of 25 wins and just one loss in 26 fights, whereas Smith has achieved 31 victories against two defeats in his 33 bouts.

As the fight approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Bivol’s recovery from surgery will impact his performance against Smith, a formidable opponent. The outcome of this title defense could have significant implications for both fighters’ careers, potentially setting the stage for future high-stakes matchups in the light-heavyweight division.