The highly anticipated trilogy fight between light heavyweight titans Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev is taking a backseat, with promoter sources pointing to 2027 as the new prospective timeline.
According to German Titov, CEO of RCC Boxing Promotions, Bivol must first clear mandatory business against British contender Callum Smith before any third encounter with Beterbiev can materialize. With WBO purse bids set for Thursday, August 27, RCC has already laid the groundwork, reserving a venue in Yekaterinburg for December 12 and putting forward a proposal to Matchroom Boxing.
“A fight with Smith doesn’t kill off the Bivol–Beterbiev trilogy—it’s still actively being discussed. But if that third fight happens, it will definitely come after Smith, pushing it into next year,” Titov stated.
From an outside perspective, this brief postponement makes strategic sense. Following Beterbiev’s October 2024 victory to claim undisputed status and Bivol’s February 2025 revenge win, the rivalry stands tied at 1–1. Allowing Bivol to headline a home arena against a top challenger like Smith keeps the division active while setting up maximum drama for the 2027 rubber match.
