Hearn indicated that the WBO interim champion remains firmly in the picture.
“He’s got a mandatory against Callum Smith now that’s been ordered,” Hearn said to Boxingscene.
“If he wants to take one of those fights that we just said, he’ll also have to drop the WBO belt.”
Hearn said that Smith’s next move will involve a world title one way or another.
“We’ll look to make Callum Smith for the world title next, whatever happens,” said Hearn.
Callum captured the WBO interim light heavyweight title by defeating Joshua Buatsi, positioning himself as the mandatory challenger for Bivol’s belt. Yet the timing may ultimately work against him.
From Bivol’s perspective, a fight against Smith presents a difficult calculation. The Russian star could command larger purses against Beterbiev or Benavidez, while Smith represents a dangerous opponent without the same commercial upside.
Unlike recent challenger Michael Eifert, Smith is a former world champion with size, power, and momentum behind him. Even in victory, Bivol could emerge from a demanding fight having passed on opportunities that would have enhanced both his bank account and his legacy.
That reality could ultimately determine the WBO title’s future. If Bivol prioritizes a Beterbiev trilogy or a clash with Benavidez, vacating the belt may prove more attractive than risking everything against a mandatory challenger who has earned his place the hard way.
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