The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially ordered reigning light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to face mandatory challenger Callum Smith, setting a strict negotiation timeline.
In a letter sent to promoters, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri stated that the final deadline to reach an agreement is August 20, 2026. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to eliminating interim titles so that each division has only one true champion.
If no deal is struck by that date, Olivieri announced that purse bids will take place on August 27, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where promotional companies will compete for the rights to organize the championship fight.
Bivol remains in impressive form, having secured a unanimous decision victory over Michael Eifert in May 2026. Meanwhile, Smith has been out of the ring since February 2025, when he defeated Joshua Buatsi on points.
In the meantime, the Russian champion’s promoter told reporters that the venue for Bivol’s next outing has already been reserved at the UMMC Arena in Yekaterinburg, with a tentative date set for December 12.
