No Beterbiev Trilogy for Bivol — Callum Smith Gets Dec 12 Shot

The Bivol-Beterbiev trilogy everyone penciled in isn't happening — and according to Eddie Hearn, it was never even on the table. Instead, Dmitry Bivol (25-1, 12 KO) will defend his IBF and WBO titles against WBO mandatory Callum Smith on December 12 in Russia, closing the door on a third meeting with the man who handed him his only professional loss.

Hearn told ProBox TV that no offer for the trilogy was ever made, pushing back on claims from IBA President Umar Kremlev. His logic is blunt: had a reasonable offer existed, Bivol would have vacated a belt and taken it. Smith's shot, Hearn said, is long overdue anyway.

How We Got Here

Beterbiev outpointed Bivol in their October 2024 undisputed clash, the first blemish on Bivol's ledger. Four months later Bivol flipped the script, winning the rematch by majority decision to become undisputed champion before vacating the WBC strap. Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KO) hasn't fought since — a 19-month layoff and counting.

Bivol has stayed active. He returned in May to defend his three remaining titles against Michael Eifert on home soil, taking a unanimous decision. Now he pivots to Smith, ranked #2 in the division and coming off arguably his best night in years.

What Smith Brings

Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KO) hasn't boxed since the Beterbiev-Bivol II undercard, where he edged Joshua Buatsi in a fight-of-the-year contender by unanimous decision. That win reasserted the former WBA super-middleweight champ as a live threat at 175, and it earned him this mandatory date. He carries more knockout power than Bivol on paper, though the champion's defensive discipline has frustrated bigger punchers before.

Hearn framed Dec 12 as a night with layers — it lands the same evening as an event he'd tried to move. As for what's next, he floated the obvious: the winner heads toward David Benavidez or, yes, Beterbiev after all. So the trilogy isn't dead. It's just been rerouted through Callum Smith first.