Frank Smith believes Briton will challenge for world title.
Currently, the United Kingdom has six reigning world champions across boxing’s various weight classes. That is a number that may just grow not long from now.
Moses Itauma will be fighting Filip Hrgovic next week for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, while Viddal Riley will be fighting David Nyika for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title at some point.
In addition, Ben Whittaker will be fighting Conor Wallace this October in a final eliminator for the IBF light-heavyweight title, with the winner set to be made mandatory for unified champion Dmitry Bivol.
So, that would be three IBF champions across three consecutive weight classes. That’s providing things go the way of the U.K. fighter in each case, of course.
However, Whittaker is not the only British fighter currently in the running to challenge for one of Bivol’s belts. In fact, there is another fighter from the U.K. who has an even more direct route to a bout with the brilliant Russian.
Former super-middleweight world champion–and current interim light-heavyweight titlist–Callum Smith has already had the WBO order Bivol to defend against him, a fight that would be the Englishman’s first since his win over Joshua Buatsi early last year.
And while it was previously stated by Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn that Bivol would likely vacate the title–allowing Smith to fight for it in a rematch with Buatsi–in favour of a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev, Frank Smith (CEO of Matchroom) has now said that he believes otherwise.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Smith stated, “There’s a purse bid next week. I had a conversation with Sean O’Toole–who manage[s] Callum Smith–earlier. I’ve got a call with Vadim [Kornilov]–obviously, team Bivol–tonight. I think that’s the fight that happens, but work to be done still.”
Smith has already previously fought Canelo Álvarez and Artur Beterbiev. A fight with Bivol would truly make him someone who has only ever fought the very best.
🚨 MATCHROOM CEO BELIEVES BIVOL-SMITH WILL HAPPEN
Frank Smith updates on Dmitry Bivol-Callum Smith: “There’s a purse bid next week. I had a conversation with Sean O’Toole, who manages Smith earlier. I’ve got a call with Vadim, Team Bivol, tonight. I think that’s the fight that… pic.twitter.com/YDpoJjpR6v
— EverythingBoxing | Darshan Desai (@EverythingBoxi2) August 20, 2026
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