Callum Smith to challenge Dmitry Bivol in Russia on 12 December

Callum Smith will challenge Dmitry Bivol for the unified world light-heavyweight championship in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on 12 December, BBC Sport reported. Bivol will defend his WBA, IBF and Ring titles against the British challenger, who returns to competition for the first time since his victory over Joshua Buatsi in February 2025.

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Smith, 36, won the WBO interim light-heavyweight title in that contest against his compatriot. The December bout gives the former WBA super-middleweight champion another opportunity to win a unified championship at light-heavyweight. His previous attempt ended in defeat against Artur Beterbiev in 2024, before Beterbiev and Bivol fought to establish an undisputed champion in the division.

Beterbiev won the first meeting with Bivol, but the result was reversed when they fought again in February 2025. Bivol subsequently gave up the WBC title while seeking a third encounter with Beterbiev. That proposed fight did not materialise, according to the BBC report. The belts listed for the Smith defence are therefore the WBA, IBF and Ring championships, rather than an undisputed title.

The fight announcement also puts the venue in focus. BBC Sport noted that the UK government advises British nationals against all travel to Russia. Smith will not be the only British boxer to have competed in the country this year: heavyweight Joe Joyce fought Artem Suslenkov in Moscow in July and lost. Smith’s scheduled challenge will take place in Yekaterinburg rather than the capital.

Smith enters the contest with 31 victories from 33 professional appearances, including 22 wins by knockout. The Buatsi win remains his most recent competitive outing, with the December date marking his return after an extended spell out of the ring.

Bivol, 35, has won 25 of his 26 professional fights, recording 12 stoppages. His only defeat came against Beterbiev, the opponent he subsequently beat in their rematch. He now faces Smith with three championships on the line, while the challenger seeks to follow his interim-title victory with a win over the reigning unified champion.