But first, The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight champion must take care of business against his WBO mandatory challenger, Callum Smith, in a fight that is slated to take place on December 12 at a site to be announced in Russia.

“We are discussing the third fight against Beterbiev for an April or May date,” Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, told The Ring.

RCC Boxing Promotions CEO German Titov separately stated that he's looking to stage the fight at RMK Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) returned from back surgery May 30 to easily outpoint IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert. It was the 35-year-old Bivol’s first fight since he beat Beterbiev by majority decision in a February 2025 rematch to avenge the lone loss of his career.

Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) beat Bivol by majority decision in October 2024 to become the fully unified 175-pound champion. The Russian-born, Quebec-based Beterbiev, who will turn 42 in January, hasn’t fought since the Bivol sequel and has blasted his Russian rival for dodging a third dance over the course of the last year.

But with a renewed stance on the bout, Bivol now appears to be all in on a third encounter.

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.