DAZN has officially confirmed its coverage of Dmitry Bivol’s December 12 title defense against Callum Smith in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where the Briton will challenge for the WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight belts.
The fight was announced on October 12, with DAZN already identified as the broadcaster. Wednesday’s promotional post provides the platform’s own confirmation, although it adds no new date, venue or opponent.
“An unmissable world title unification between Dmitry Bivol & Callum Smith lands on DAZN,” the broadcaster posted.
Bivol will defend his three belts at the UMMC Arena against Smith, who gets an opportunity to become a two-division world champion. Winning those titles requires solving a difficult boxing puzzle on the champion’s home turf.
Smith’s power gives him a threat if he can get close enough to use it. Bivol’s footwork and quick combinations can leave opponents losing rounds while trying to get into punching position. Smith cannot afford to follow him around without producing enough offense.
His prolonged absence has also taken some of the interest out of this fight. Smith’s February 2025 victory over Joshua Buatsi gave him something to build on, but fans will have waited almost 22 months to see him fight again by December 12.
That layoff was not entirely by choice. Smith was scheduled to defend his WBO interim title against David Morrell on April 18 in Liverpool before a training camp injury forced him out less than two weeks before the event. The fight never happened.
The injury explains the canceled return, but it cannot restore the attention lost during his absence. The Buatsi victory has faded into the background, leaving Smith without a recent performance to get fans talking about his chances against Bivol.
There is a sporting cost, too. Smith must find his timing against a champion who can score and move before an opponent gets his punches off. Spending several rounds settling in could leave the challenger chasing a substantial lead.
DAZN has confirmed where fans can watch. Smith’s task is to make this competitive after spending so long out of the ring.
