Dmitry Bivol Interested In Fighting For A Super Middleweight Title

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol may be focused on his world title defense against Joe Smith Jr., but there may be plans in place for him to become a two-weight titleholder.

Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, told ESPN that the undefeated world champion could be considering moving down in weight to super middleweight after his next fight. Bivol is scheduled to face Smith on a boxing card to be streamed on DAZN in March.

“Bivol is interested in a world title at 168 and unification at 175 when other 175-pound champions are hopefully ready and willing to unify,” Kornilov said.

Bivol’s fight is the first since signing a deal with Matchroom Boxing, allowing Bivol and the World of Boxing roster to have a platform to fight in DAZN. The signing gave DAZN another world champion who was one of the biggest free agents in the wake of HBO shutting down its boxing broadcasts.

Should the 28-year-old Bivol move down in weight to challenge for a title at 168 pounds, he has a couple of options to choose from. Most notably is Canelo Alvarez, who holds the WBA “Regular” super middleweight title, but his status of the world title remains to be seen as Alvarez is likely to move back down in weight to defend his WBA “Super” and WBC middleweight titles. Also on Matchroom’s roster is Callum Smith, the WBA “Super” champion at 168 pounds, who won the title in the World Boxing Super Series finals in Saudi Arabia last year.