The good news for Callum Smith is that he is free to next face the opponent of his choosing.
The bad news is that it won’t be against the fighter of his choice.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the WBO has denied a formal request filed by England’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), to next face lineal, WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs).
Smith – a former WBA super middleweight titlist from Liverpool – contended that his status as the interim WBO titleholder positioned him as the next mandatory challenger in line for Bivol. That logic was acknowledged but dismissed for good cause, according to a four-page ruling obtained by BoxingScene.
Wednesday’s ruling will clear the way for Bivol to next face Artur Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs), in a rubber match tentatively slated for later this fall.
“Callum Smith, as WBO Interim Champion, maintains his status as the next in line for a mandatory defense,” WBO championship committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas stated to all involved parties. “However, per Section 1(B)(4), the Committee is empowered to extend the period for discharging a mandatory defense for good cause.
“The Committee finds that the anticipated Bivol/Beterbiev trilogy constitutes good cause to extend the mandatory defense period in the present circumstances. The Committee hereby denies the request to order a mandatory defense by Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith at this time.”
Smith defeated previously unbeaten countryman Joshua Buatsi, 19-1 (13 KOs), via unanimous decision to win the interim WBO 175lbs title. The bout took place on the February 22 undercard of Bivol’s majority decision win over Beterbiev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bivol avenged his lone career defeat, which came against Beterbiev last October 12 in Riyadh. That fight date was delayed by five months due to an injury sustained by Beterbiev.
It opened the door for the WBO to approve a request for an interim title fight, won by Buatsi in a 12-round split decision over Willy Hutchinson last September 21 in London.
Smith then claimed the secondary title, in hopes that it would lead to a second crack at the light heavyweight crown. He previously suffered a seventh-round stoppage at the heavy hands of Beterbiev in their lineal, WBC, IBF and WBO championship last January 13 in Quebec City, Canada.
Two wins have followed for Smith, including the abovementioned thriller with Buatsi.
Smith’s point of contention for having his mandatory enforced is the relatively idle status of Germany’s Michael Eifert, the leading IBF light heavyweight contender.
“The mandatory order rotation system is an established agreement set forth amongst the four internationally recognized sanctioning bodies, whereby the older mandatory must be discharged first, per the rotational sequence,” argued Smith through legal counsel Sean O'Toole. “This protocol ensures an orderly progression of mandatory defenses while maintaining fairness across the respective organizations.
Even under the assumption that the WBO mandatory is due, the IBF is next in line in the rotation system. Michael Eifert is the designated mandatory [IBF] challenger; however, the IBF has not enforced its mandatory status since 2021, and per our records and public knowledge, the IBF mandatory is next in line to be discharged.
“Callum Smith is the current WBO Interim Champion and the designated mandatory challenger.”
While factually correct, that status remains at the discretion of the sanctioning body.
In this instance, the WBO believes its decision is for the greater good of the sport.
“The WBO mandatory defense obligation will be extended to accommodate the proposed Bivol/Beterbiev trilogy,” noted the WBO. “Callum Smith is authorized to engage in a voluntary defense of the Interim Title in accordance with WBO regulations.”
A similar - and successful - approach was taken by David Benavidez, who parlayed his interim WBC light heavyweight title status into an enforced mandatory title shot. The matter went all the way to a scheduled purse bid hearing before Bivol opted to instead vacate the WBC title.
Benavidez, 30-0 (23 KOs) was upgraded to full WBC titleholder as a result, though still in the process of solidifying his next challenger.
Conversely, Smith already has a targeted next foe, in lieu of a straightaway shot at Bivol. As reported by BoxingScene and other outlets, Smith will likely next face countryman Anthony Yarde later this summer as a result.