CALLUM SMITH has landed a crack at light-heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol in RUSSIA.

will travel to Yekaterinburg to face the pound-for-pound ace on December 12.

Callum Smith poses in a fighting stance during a media workout at his gym in Liverpool.
Callum Smith is heading into the lion’s den after agreeing to travel to Russia to face Dmitry Bivol Credit: Getty
a boxer with the word bvol on his shorts
Dmitry Bivol defeated Canelo Alvarez in 2022 and will not be an easy man to face in his own backyard Credit: Getty

Bivol, 35, toppled in 2022 but lost the undisputed 12st 7lb undisputed decider in a razor-thin decision in 2024.

Bivol won the rematch last year and still holds the WBA, IBF and WBO straps.

And now the brave Brit will travel deep into enemy territory – with Vladimir Putin’s army still at war with Ukraine – in a courageous effort to become a two-weight boss.

The mouthwatering clash has been pencilled in ever since Smith beat fellow Englishman Josh Buatsi in a February 2025 thriller.

But the Puerto Rico based WBO had reservations about sanctioning a world title fight in the controversial country.

That issue has now been resolved, clearing the way for Smith to venture into the Ural mountains for a blockbuster showdown on Russian soil.

But the Liverpool fighter faces a daunting task against one of the most technically gifted boxers in the sport.

Bivol has developed a reputation for dominating British opponents, with Craig Richards and Lyndon Arthur among the victims on his impressive 25-1 record.

Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo - Fight Night
Fearless brit Smith is determined to upset the odds before christmas Credit: Getty

However, Smith boasts a formidable 31-2 record himself, with his only defeats coming against superstars Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev.

And the fearless Brit will be determined to upset the odds and become a two-weight world champion in enemy territory.