Undisputed boxing landscape mastermind Dmitry Bivol has already begun casting his gaze toward a high-profile future, explicitly outlining three major potential opponents for the year 2027. However, before the 35-year-old pound-for-pound elite can secure any of those massive matchups, he faces a significant hurdle on December 12, when he must defend his prestigious light-heavyweight world titles against British challenger Callum Smith.
The upcoming defense in Yekaterinburg, Russia, marks another chapter in an illustrious career that has seen Bivol cement his legacy among the absolute best fighters of his generation. The champion comes into the bout following a dominant unanimous decision victory over Michael Eifert back in May. That performance marked a successful return to the ring for Bivol after a 15-month absence, allowing him to emphatically retain his IBF, WBO, and WBA championship straps and prove that the layoff had done nothing to blunt his razor-sharp technical abilities.
Prior to his victory over Eifert, Bivol etched his name firmly into boxing history books by becoming the undisputed 175-pound king. He achieved that monumental status through a hard-fought majority decision triumph over long-time rival Artur Beterbiev. That historic clash served as the immediate sequel to their first unforgettable encounter in October 2024, where Beterbiev had narrowly edged past Bivol by the exact same razor-thin margins to briefly hold all the cards in the division. The rivalry between the two technicians stands as one of the defining modern narratives of the light-heavyweight division, capturing the imagination of fight fans across the globe.
Now, though, Bivol must shift his immediate focus entirely to the task at hand. He must prove that he remains an elite-level operator against former world super-middleweight champion Callum Smith. Smith, known for his formidable size, powerful frame, and extensive championship experience, represents a dangerous test for any fighter at 175 pounds. The stakes are immense, as the encounter set to take place in Yekaterinburg, Russia, will determine the trajectory of the light-heavyweight division heading into the final stages of the decade.
Should Bivol successfully navigate the threat posed by Smith and emerge victorious on December 12, the landscape opens up dramatically for the Russian master. Bivol has made it clear that a victory would unlock doors to some of the most lucrative and legacy-defining bouts in the entire sport. Among the primary options on his radar is a blockbuster trilogy showdown with Artur Beterbiev, a fight that would settle once and for all which man truly holds the psychological and physical advantage in their storied rivalry. Alternatively, Bivol could pursue a high-profile rematch with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez was comprehensively and unanimously outpointed when the pair first locked horns in a tactical masterclass back in 2022, and a rematch would undoubtedly command global attention and massive pay-per-view revenues.
From a general boxing fans’ perspective, however, perhaps the most visually appealing and stylistically fascinating opponent for Bivol moving forward would be David Benavidez. Known widely as the "Mexican Monster," Benavidez recently etched his name deeper into combat sports history by becoming a three-division world champion. He achieved that feat through a devastating sixth-round stoppage victory over Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez in May, showcasing a relentless offensive output and terrifying power.
In triumphing over Ramirez, Benavidez claimed the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles. Despite establishing himself at the heavier 200-pound limit and looking set to campaign primarily in the cruiserweight division moving forward, Bivol has expressed a strong, mutual willingness to cross paths with the American star. Speaking candidly during an appearance on Inside The Ring, Bivol detailed his exact thinking regarding the fights that currently matter most to his career legacy and public appeal.
“I will tell you which fights are big for me now, and I think people will agree: this is Beterbiev, this is Canelo and this is Benavidez. I think only with these fighters we can make a big fight,” Bivol explained to Inside The Ring, highlighting his desire to participate only in bouts that capture the collective imagination of the boxing public.
The path for Benavidez presents its own fascinating subplots as the boxing calendar winds down. With Benavidez expected to step back into the ring to face WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on December 5, another successful performance could immediately launch the heavy-hitting star toward even grander aspirations. A victory over Cieslak would likely pave the way for a monumental Cinco de Mayo showdown against cruiserweight standout Jai Opetaia in 2027, further complicating and enriching the upper weight classes.
For Bivol, all of these tantalizing scenarios—including the trilogy with Beterbiev, the Canelo rematch, and the dream clash with Benavidez—remain entirely contingent upon his performance on December 12. As he steps into enemy territory in Yekaterinburg to defend his belts against Callum Smith, the reigning king of the light-heavyweight division knows that a single misstep could derail the carefully laid plans for 2027. Yet, given his technical brilliance, composure under fire, and proven ability to rise to the occasion on the sport’s biggest stages, Bivol enters the ring not just as a defending champion, but as a master tactician looking toward an even greater horizon.
