(July 6th) The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially ordered unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to make the first mandatory defense of his WBO championship against interim titleholder Callum Smith, formally setting in motion negotiations for one of the division's most anticipated championship bouts.

In an official ruling issued July 6 by WBO Founder and Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas, Esq., the organization directed both parties to immediately begin negotiations for the mandatory championship contest. Under WBO regulations, Bivol and Smith have 20 days to reach an agreement before the bout proceeds to a purse bid if terms cannot be finalized. Either side may also request an immediate purse bid during the negotiation period.

The WBO stated the mandatory title fight is necessary to satisfy Bivol's championship obligation and eliminate the interim championship in accordance with the organization's longstanding "One Champion Policy," which recognizes only one world champion in each weight class. Once a deal is reached, the parties will have an additional 10 days to submit signed bout agreements, including confirmation of the fight date, venue, broadcaster and promotional entities.

Bivol captured the WBO light heavyweight title on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when he defeated Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated rematch to become the unified WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion. Smith won the WBO interim light heavyweight championship on the same card with a victory over Joshua Buatsi, securing his position as the division's mandatory challenger.

The Championship Committee noted that neither fighter has fulfilled a WBO mandatory defense since winning their respective championships. Bivol most recently satisfied his IBF mandatory obligation with a unanimous decision victory over Michael Eifert on May 30, 2026, while Smith has remained the WBO interim champion for more than one year awaiting his mandatory title opportunity.

The WBO also acknowledged that both Bivol and Smith previously notified the organization of injuries and submitted supporting medical documentation that resulted in reasonable accommodations under WBO regulations. However, the Committee ruled that no further delays would be permitted, declaring that the mandatory championship obligation must now be fulfilled without further postponement.

In a significant warning, the WBO advised that should either fighter become unavailable for any reason—including injury or any circumstance preventing the contest from taking place—the Championship Committee reserves the authority under Section 19(c) of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests to declare the WBO light heavyweight championship vacant and issue any additional rulings necessary to preserve the integrity of the championship process.

The Committee further instructed Team Bivol and Team Smith to acknowledge in writing within the first 10 days of negotiations that they have received, reviewed and accepted the terms of the official order. Failure to comply could result in additional sanctions or directives under WBO championship regulations.

The order significantly impacts the immediate future of the light heavyweight division. Bivol had been linked to a potential trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev and a possible future showdown with WBC champion David Benavidez. However, the WBO's ruling places Callum Smith at the front of the championship queue, leaving the unified champion with the choice of honoring his mandatory obligation, seeking an exception from the sanctioning body, or risking the loss of his WBO title.

Should negotiations fail within the 20-day window, the WBO will schedule a purse bid to determine promotional rights for the mandatory championship contest between Bivol and Smith.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) was founded in 1988, it is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame and has headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The WBO has  been committed to recognizing and crowning the best fighters across all weight divisions, ensuring that champions earn their titles fairly through skill, dedication, and perseverance. 

At the WBO, we believe that boxing is more than just a sport—it is a platform that offers opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talent, inspire millions, and create legacies that stand the test of time. Our ranking system, championship titles, and global partnerships reflect our mission to promote competition at the highest level, fostering growth and opportunity for fighters worldwide under the values of Dignity, Democracy and Honesty. More so,  the WBO stives to make all its members feel welcome and part of a big family.

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With a history of legendary champions and unforgettable moments, the WBO continues to shape the future of boxing, ensuring that the sport remains as thrilling, competitive, and honorable as ever.

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