Based on Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is more likely to pivot away from a mooted rubber match with Artur Beterbiev.
The 2 Russians first collided in October 2024, again when Beterbiev emerged with a majority resolution victory and have become the undisputed king at 175lbs.
An eagerly-anticipated rematch then materialised simply over 4 months later, with Bivol exacting his revenge and profitable by the identical margins of 116-112 and 115-113.
A trilogy showdown was due to this fact anticipated to be in play, just for Bivol to endure again surgical procedure and stay out of motion till final Could.
This profitable ring return noticed him defend his IBF, WBO and WBA titles with a shutout factors victory over Michael Eifert, whereas Beterbiev has not climbed by way of the ropes since dropping their rematch.
Nonetheless, it appeared their trilogy match was explored for later this 12 months or in early 2027, just for Hearn to recommend that Bivol is extra more likely to face necessary challenger Callum Smith.
The Matchroom boss revealed this replace by way of his Instagram story, simply over a month after Bivol was ordered to defend his WBO belt towards Smith.
💥 Eddie Hearn offers Matchroom updates on IG:
1️⃣ 👀 Callum Smith-Dmitry Bivol more likely to be next2️⃣ 🥊 Catterall has obtained two different large combat affords since discuss of Haney fight3️⃣ 🔜 Bam to unify in Nov./Dec.4️⃣ ✅ Vuong just lately released5️⃣ ✍️ New signing TBA this week pic.twitter.com/kDHhPBIIBs
— All Out Boxing (@OutBoxing_) August 9, 2026
Like Beterbiev, Smith has not fought since February 2025, again when he unanimously outpointed Joshua Buatsi in a Combat of the 12 months candidate.
He was, in fact, purported to face David Morrell final April, just for the 36-year-old to drag out with an harm and depart his Cuban opponent to undergo a shock defeat towards Zak Chelli.
Nevertheless it now appears that Smith, who at present holds the WBO ‘interim’ belt, is ready to safe his stab at changing into a two-weight world champion towards Bivol. The pair, each represented by Hearn’s Matchroom, have till August 20 to strike a deal earlier than purse bids are referred to as.
