Bivol Set to Skip Beterbiev Trilogy for Callum Smith Showdown

The most anticipated trilogy in the 175lb division might not happen next. Eddie Hearn says Dmitry Bivol, the 25-1 (12 KO) IBF and WBO light-heavyweight champion, is now more likely to face mandatory challenger Callum Smith than run it back a third time with Artur Beterbiev. Hearn dropped the update via his Instagram story, roughly a month after Bivol was ordered to defend his WBO belt against Smith.

The clock is ticking, too. Both fighters are Matchroom clients, and Hearn's camp has until August 20 to lock in a deal before purse bids are called. Smith, ranked #2 and carrying a 31-2 (22 KO) ledger, currently holds the WBO 'interim' belt — meaning this is the fight that turns him into a legitimate two-weight world titlist if he gets it done.

How We Got Here

Bivol and Beterbiev have already given us one of the sport's defining feuds. Beterbiev took the first meeting in October 2024 by majority decision to become undisputed at 175lbs. Just over four months later, Bivol flipped it — winning the rematch on identical cards of 116-112 and 115-113 to reclaim his standing. That's a razor-thin two-fight series, which is exactly why the trilogy felt inevitable.

Then Bivol needed back surgery. He didn't return until this past May, when he shut out Michael Eifert to defend his IBF, WBO and WBA straps. Beterbiev, meanwhile, hasn't fought since that rematch loss and sits at 21-1 (20 KO) — a knockout artist stuck in neutral while the belts move on without him.

Smith's Case

Smith hasn't been busy either. His last outing came in February 2025, a unanimous-decision win over Joshua Buatsi in a genuine Fight of the Year candidate. He was slated to meet David Morrell last April, but Morrell withdrew injured — and the replacement plotline turned ugly when the Cuban's original path unraveled into a shock loss for others in the mix. Smith stayed patient, and it's paying off.

For Bivol, the math is simple. The Beterbiev trilogy is the bigger event, but Smith is the sanctioned obligation and the deadline is real. Hearn intends to get this one over the line, and with both men under his banner, there's every reason to think the champion's comeback fight is a two-weight bid from Smith rather than a third dance with his greatest rival.