Callum Smith: Bivol fight 'close' but hinges on WBO decision for Russia date
Callum Smith says an ordered fight with three-belt light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is all but confirmed, but is awaiting a WBO decision to allow the bout in Russia, with December 12 in Yekaterinburg the reported target.
Callum Smith has broken his silence on a long-anticipated meeting with three-belt unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, saying the contest is effectively agreed but remains dependent on a WBO decision. Speaking on The Smith Brothers: Not A Podcast, Smith explained the delay in a formal announcement is tied to whether the WBO will permit the fight to take place in Russia. Promoters and media have named Saturday, December 12, at the UMMC Arena in Yekaterinburg as the likely date and venue, but no official show has yet been confirmed.
Smith says Bivol bout 'not fully official' while awaiting sanction
Callum Smith confirmed on his podcast that an ordered fight against Dmitry Bivol is close to being publicised, but insisted the match is pending formal WBO sign-off. Smith described the situation as effectively agreed — “not fully official yet, well it is” — and explained that the promoters are waiting on the WBO to allow the contest to go ahead in Russia. The source material states the fight has been ordered and reported as all but confirmed, though no formal announcement had been made at the time of the report.
WBO previously refused Bivol's Russia defence; Smith hopeful this time
Smith told listeners the delay stems from the WBO's prior refusal to sanction Bivol's last defence in Russia. He said that decision was linked to the Ukraine war and that those involved are awaiting WBO confirmation for the proposed event. On the podcast he added: “Obviously, last time they didn’t sanction his last defence there because of the Ukraine war and stuff like that, but from what I am hearing I think that they will [this time].” That uncertainty over sanctioning is the clearest reason given for the lack of a formal announcement.
December 12 at Yekaterinburg's UMMC Arena named as target
Reports cited by the source point to Saturday, December 12, as the targeted date for the Bivol–Smith meeting, with the UMMC Arena in Yekaterinburg named as the anticipated venue. The coverage makes clear these details are currently understood to be the plan rather than officially confirmed. Until the WBO delivers its decision and promoters issue a formal announcement, treat the date and site as reported targets rather than finalised arrangements.