The WBO revealed that Bivol, its reigning light heavyweight champion, and Callum Smith, the interim beltholder, have sent a written statement confirming that they have agreed to fight next.

According to RCC Boxing, Bivol’s co-promoter, and Matchroom Boxing, Smith’s handlers, also have a date and venue in mind.

Initially, the WBO gave both parties until August 27 to agree to terms or a purse bid would be ordered.

Bivol, who also holds The Ring, IBF, and WBA titles, was hoping for a bigger fight.

The 35-year-old from Russia shook off a 15-month absence following back surgery to win a lopsided unanimous decision over Michael Eifert, his then-IBF mandatory, on May 30 in Russia.

Soon after, Bivol, who underwent left elbow surgery, said he wanted to close out the year with a fight against Artur Beterbiev or WBC champion David Benavidez.

Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) and Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) handed each other the first defeats of their careers after a pair of fights in 2024 and 2025. Beterbiev won their first meeting by majority decision in Saudi Arabia to become light heavyweight undisputed champion.

That reign, however, was short-lived as Bivol won their rematch by majority decision four months later in Saudi Arabia.

Bivol would eventually vacate his title, which led to Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) being elevated from interim to full beltholder, as he pursued a third fight against Beterbiev.

As for Smith (31-2, 22 KOs), he’ll get his chance to become a two-division champion.

The 36-year-old former Ring and WBA 168-pound champion hasn’t fought since beating Joshua Buatsi for the WBO interim title on February 22 in Riyadh.

He was originally ordered to face David Morrell with the winner being given a mandated shot at Bivol’s 175-pound throne. However, Smith was forced to pull out of their April 18 bout due to an injury in training camp.

Instead of waiting for their fight to get rescheduled, Morrell fought Zak Chelli on May 9. The Cuban was stopped in the 10th and final round, prompting the WBO to order Bivol vs. Smith.