EKATERINBURG — Unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is set to return to the ring on 12 December to defend his WBA, WBO and IBF titles against mandatory challenger Callum Smith. The contest, which follows extensive negotiations, will take place in Ekaterinburg, Russia, under the promotion of RCC Boxing.
The confirmation ends a period of uncertainty regarding the venue and sanctioning of the bout. While the WBO had previously expressed reservations regarding the location, RCC Boxing Promotions CEO German Titov confirmed that the necessary contracts have been finalised. “Today we closed the prolonged talks with Callum Smith’s team, all the necessary papers for him to fight Dmitriy Bivol are signed,” Titov stated.
The event marks Bivol’s second consecutive appearance in Ekaterinburg, following his victory over Michael Eifert in May. For the British challenger, the match represents an opportunity to secure world honours in a second weight division, having previously held titles at 168lbs. Smith, the current WBO World Interim Champion, has now officially committed to the challenge against the unified champion.