Dmitry Bivol ordered to purse bids for WBO title fight with Smith

Dmitry Bivol’s mandatory light-heavyweight title defence against Callum Smith will be decided at a purse bid on August 27 after the fighters’ teams failed to reach an agreement. The WBO has moved the contest to the next stage of its championship process.

The purse bid is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the WBO’s main offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The proceedings will also be streamed through the sanctioning body’s official digital platforms, while the financial terms and purse division will be issued in the formal notice.

Bivol and Smith were initially given 20 days to settle the conditions for the fight. Extensions were later allowed, but the negotiations still ended without a deal, prompting the WBO to order the purse bid.

Smith earned his mandatory position by beating Joshua Buatsi last year for the interim WBO belt. The defeat was the first of Buatsi’s professional career, and the bout was regarded as a contender for fight of the year. Smith, a former super-middleweight world champion, has remained next in line for the full title since that victory.

Bivol returned to action in May after a lengthy period away from the ring. He retained his position by defeating IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on points in a comfortable performance. The Russian is now set to defend his WBO light-heavyweight championship against Smith while seeking to keep his three belts.

A possible third meeting with Artur Beterbiev had appeared to be another route for Bivol. The two fighters have split their two previous bouts, but those plans have not come together. Bivol and Smith are both represented by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, with the purse bid now expected to determine the next step for the title fight.