Monaco Enters Three-Way Race To Host Bivol-Smith Title Fight

Monaco has joined the United Kingdom and Russia as a possible venue for Dmitry Bivol’s defence of three world titles against Callum Smith. The bout is scheduled to go to a purse bid on August 27 if Matchroom cannot reach an agreement first.

Matchroom’s Frank Smith identified the three locations without indicating which one currently has the strongest support. Negotiations remain open, and the preferred destination has not been disclosed.

A British venue would likely mean Liverpool, where Smith is from and where the challenger could expect his strongest home support. That option would require Bivol to make his IBF, WBA and WBO title defence in Smith’s territory, giving the challenger a clear local advantage.

Bivol has boxed away from home during his career and would not be entering unfamiliar circumstances by fighting in front of a hostile crowd. His team could still weigh the benefit offered to Smith against the financial terms of staging the contest in Britain.

Russia would place the fight closer to Bivol’s home territory. The champion fought Michael Eifert in Ekaterinburg in May, although a return there would require local financial backing that satisfies both camps. Monaco offers a neutral setting, but its smaller market is less capable of producing the gate available in Liverpool.

The financial structure could therefore shape the final decision. A shortfall from a Monaco event would need to be addressed through other funding, while no role has been indicated for Saudi Arabia or Turki Alalshikh, who backed Bivol’s two fights with Artur Beterbiev. If Matchroom fails to settle the venue before the purse bid, an external bidder could take control and choose the location.