Dmitry Bivol’s most likely comeback fight no longer Artur Beterbiev trilogy

According to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is likely to pivot away from a mooted rubber match with Artur Beterbiev.

The two Russians first collided in October 2024, back when Beterbiev emerged with a majority decision victory and became the undisputed king at 175lbs.

An eagerly-anticipated rematch then materialised just over four months later, with Bivol exacting his revenge and winning by the same margins of 116-112 and 115-113.

A trilogy showdown was therefore expected to be in play, only for Bivol to undergo back surgery and remain out of action until last May.

This successful ring return saw him defend his IBF, WBO and WBA titles with a shutout points victory over Michael Eifert, while Beterbiev has not climbed through the ropes since losing their rematch.

Still, it seemed their trilogy match was explored for later this year or in early 2027, only for Hearn to suggest that Bivol is more likely to face mandatory challenger Callum Smith.

The Matchroom boss revealed this update via his Instagram story, just over a month after Bivol was ordered to defend his WBO belt against Smith.

💥 Eddie Hearn provides Matchroom updates on IG:

1️⃣ 👀 Callum Smith-Dmitry Bivol likely to be next
2️⃣ 🥊 Catterall has received two other big fight offers since talk of Haney fight
3️⃣ 🔜 Bam to unify in Nov./Dec.
4️⃣ ✅ Vuong recently released
5️⃣ ✍️ New signing TBA this week pic.twitter.com/kDHhPBIIBs

— All Out Boxing (@OutBoxing_) August 9, 2026

Like Beterbiev, Smith has not fought since February 2025, back when he unanimously outpointed Joshua Buatsi in a Fight of the Year candidate.

He was, of course, supposed to face David Morrell last April, only for the 36-year-old to pull out with an injury and leave his Cuban opponent to suffer a shock defeat against Zak Chelli.

But it now seems that Smith, who currently holds the WBO ‘interim’ belt, is set to secure his stab at becoming a two-weight world champion against Bivol. The pair, both represented by Hearn’s Matchroom, have until August 20 to strike a deal before purse bids are called.