Callum Smith Signs Contract for WBO Title Fight Against Dmitry Bivol in Russia
Callum Smith has signed to challenge Dmitry Bivol for the WBO light heavyweight title on December 12 in Yekaterinburg.
Callum Smith has signed the contract to fight Dmitry Bivol for the WBO light heavyweight title, with December 12 targeted as the date and Yekaterinburg, Russia as the venue, per RCC Boxing.
RCC Boxing CEO German Titov confirmed the deal, telling media: "Today we completed lengthy negotiations with Callum Smith's team." Titov said the necessary documents have been signed and his promotion will organize the championship bout in Yekaterinburg. He cautioned that December 12 should still be treated as a target date rather than a locked commitment.
Smith holds the WBO interim light heavyweight title and is Bivol's mandatory challenger at 175 pounds. The Liverpudlian has rebuilt himself into a legitimate contender after dropping his super middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez back in 2020. At 6-foot-3 with a long reach and sharp boxing, Smith presents a stylistic puzzle that most light heavyweights cannot.
Bivol remains one of the most technically sound fighters in boxing. The Russian has not lost as a professional and has beaten elite opposition including Canelo, Artur Beterbiev, and Malik Zinad. Fighting at home in Yekaterinburg would give Bivol a significant edge in atmosphere, though Smith has never been one to wilt on the road.
No broadcast details have been announced. The fight represents one of the biggest light heavyweight matchups available in the division right now.
This is a real fight. Callum Smith has earned his shot and Bivol is one of the five best boxers on the planet regardless of weight class. Smith at 6-foot-3 with that jab is going to make Bivol work harder than people expect.
That said, I think Bivol handles him. Bivol's footwork and ring IQ are on another level. He makes elite fighters look ordinary, and he did it to Canelo and Beterbiev on the biggest stages. Smith will have his moments because he is a legitimate top-ten light heavyweight, but Bivol controls distance too well and adjusts mid-round better than anyone in the sport.
Fighting in Yekaterinburg is a factor. Bivol has that home crowd and the judges will lean his way in close rounds. Smith needs a knockout or a dominant performance to get the nod over there. I would not bet on that happening. Bivol by decision is my pick.
