Dmitry Bivol is stepping back into the ring this December to defend his unified light heavyweight titles against Callum Smith in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and Smith is making his return after a massive 19-month break from the fight game. This isn’t just another fight; it is a mandatory WBO title defense for Bivol, putting everything on the line.
Bivol’s Undisputed Reign Under Threat
Bivol, currently boasting an incredible 25-1 record with 12 KOs, is the reigning IBF, WBO, WBA, and Ring champion. He is putting all those belts on the line. His last fight was in May, where he took a unanimous decision over Michael Eifert, keeping that momentum rolling. You know he is on a high after that two-fight saga with Artur Beterbiev. Bivol actually defeated Beterbiev in their rematch to grab the undisputed light heavyweight crown, bouncing back from his only career loss which came against Beterbiev in October 2024. The guy has been on a mission, and Smith is his next test.
Smith’s Long-Awaited Return to the Fire
Talk about stepping back into the fire! Smith, with a strong 31-2 record and 22 KOs, has not been in the ring for 19 months. His last appearance was a decisive victory over Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a fight that happened on the undercard of that huge Bivol vs. Beterbiev rematch. Now, after almost two years away, he is getting a huge shot at the undisputed champ. You know he is going to be hungry, coming off such a long hiatus.
Mega-Fights Loom for Bivol, But Only If He Wins
While Bivol prepares for his second fight of the year, he has made it clear he has his sights set on some serious mega-fights down the line. His wish list features some massive names: David Benavidez, Canelo Alvarez, and even a potential rubber match with Artur Beterbiev. But none of that happens if he does not get through Smith first. The Bivol-Smith showdown is going to stream live on DAZN, with all the undercard details still to be announced. Get ready for December 12th, because this one is gonna be a battle!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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