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Dmitry Bivol in boxing pose, charcoal portrait
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Bivol And Smith Agree Terms — Purse Bid Scrapped And The WBO Gets Its Fight

No purse bid, no auction drama. Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith have told the WBO in writing that the fight is agreed, and the light heavyweight division's logjam finally starts to move. Luke on the deal, the timing, and what it means for Beterbiev and Benavidez.

By • September 1, 2026 By
  • Dmitry Bivol and interim champion Callum Smith have confirmed to the WBO in writing that they've agreed terms for the light heavyweight mandatory
  • The agreement scraps the purse bid process that had been hanging over the fight since the WBO's August deadline, with date and venue still to be confirmed
  • Luke's verdict: Smith is the best British light heavyweight of his generation, but Bivol wins this on points — and the Beterbiev and Benavidez questions wait their turn

The Paperwork Beat The Auction

Right then. After weeks of deadlines, extensions and purse bid theatre in San Juan, the WBO light heavyweight situation has resolved itself the boring way: Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith have put it in writing. The champion and his interim counterpart have confirmed to the WBO that terms are agreed, the purse bid is scrapped, and the mandatory is officially the next order of business. Date and venue to follow — but the fight is on.

That ends a saga that started when the sanctioning body ordered the purse bid back in August after the two camps couldn't reach a deal by the deadline. Bids were due, promoters were circling from Monaco to Riyadh, and then the fighters did what fighters occasionally do — sorted it themselves before the gavel came down.

A Proper Fight, Not A Formality

Let's give this match-up its due, because it deserves better than being treated as an admin item. Smith is the best British light heavyweight of his generation, a former undisputed super middleweight king at his best, and he has looked refreshed since moving up. He is big for the weight, he punches properly, and he took Artur Beterbiev seven rounds knowing exactly what was coming back at him. An interim belt says the WBO rates him. So do I.

The Queue Behind The Fight

The bigger picture is what makes this one fascinating. Artur Beterbiev and Bivol still owe the world a trilogy fight, and David Benavidez has been shouting for the winner of everything at 175 for two years. Both of those fights stay parked while Bivol clears his mandatory. If Bivol wins, the trilogy and the Benavidez super-fight are both alive for 2027. If Smith wins — and British boxing should dare to dream — the entire division flips upside down overnight.

Luke's Verdict

Make no mistake, Smith is live in this fight in a way the odds won't reflect. But Bivol is the most technically complete boxer of his era — the jab, the feet, the discipline for twelve full rounds. Smith needs one clean right hand; Bivol needs to do what he always does. I'll take Bivol on points, wide-ish but honest, in a fight that teaches us plenty about both men. Get it made, get it dated, and keep an eye on our fight cards page the moment a venue drops.

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