EKATERINBURG — Unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is set to defend his WBA, WBO and IBF titles against mandatory challenger Callum Smith on December 12. The bout, which follows a period of prolonged negotiations, will take place in Ekaterinburg, Russia, under the promotion of RCC Boxing.
The fight was initially subject to uncertainty regarding its sanctioning status. Previous complications arose when the WBO declined to sanction Bivol’s May bout against Michael Eifert as a world title contest due to the location. However, German Titov, CEO of RCC Boxing Promotions, confirmed the resolution of these talks, stating, “Today we closed the prolonged talks with Callum Smith’s team, all the necessary papers for him to fight Dmitriy Bivol are signed.”
The agreement ensures that the contest will proceed as a unified world title fight. Smith, who previously held world honors at 168lbs, now aims to secure a two-weight world title status. The official announcement from RCC noted, “WBO Light Heavyweight mandatory contender, WBO World Interim Champion from the United Kingdom Callum Smith signed the official contract to fight a unified world champion, Dmitriy Bivol.”