Smith to fight champion Bivol in Russia

Britain's Callum Smith will face Dmitry Bivol for the unified world light-heavyweight championship in Russia on 12 December. Callum Smith (left) is aiming to become a two-division champion Smith, 36, will compete for the first time since beating compatriot Joshua Buatsi in February 2025 for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title. Russian Bivol, 35, will put his WBA, IBF and Ring world titles on the line. The bout will take place in Yekaterinburg, despite the UK government advising British nationals, external against all travel to Russia. British heavyweight Joe Joyce fought in Russia in July when he was beaten by Artem Suslenkov in Moscow.

A former WBA super-middleweight champion, Smith will make a second attempt at winning a unified title, after losing against Artur Beterbiev in 2024. Russian Beterbiev then beat rival Bivol to become undisputed light-heavyweight champion, before losing the rematch in February 2025. Bivol relinquished his WBC belt to pursue a third bout against Beterbiev, but it did not come to fruition. Of his 33 professional bouts, Smith has won 31, including 22 by knockout. Bivol has won 25 of his 26 fights and stopped 12 of his opponents, with his only defeat coming against Beterbiev.