“The WBO ordered that fight between Callum Smith and Dmitrii Bivol,” Hearn said during DAZN’s broadcast of Josh Padley’s win over Aqib Fiaz.
“Bivol is coming off a solid 12 rounds against Michael Eifert and is really looking to jump into a mega fight. Listen, I like Bivol against Callum Smith. I’d love to make the fight, but Bivol is looking at the potential of the trilogy with Artur Beterbiev or a David Benavidez fight.
“If he does, he will have to vacate the title, and if he does, we get the rematch of the battle of the year between Callum Smith and Buatsi for the world title.”
Smith and Buatsi first met in February 2025 and delivered one of the most entertaining fights of the year. After 12 hard-fought rounds, Smith emerged with a unanimous decision victory.
Buatsi has fought once since, defeating Zach Parker by decision, while Smith is on the sidelines after suffering a rib injury that forced him out of a planned defense against David Morrell earlier this year.
With Morrell later losing to Zak Chelli, the picture at the top of the WBO rankings shifted. Buatsi currently sits near the top of the sanctioning body’s rankings, making a second meeting with Smith a natural option should the title become vacant.
Hearn also suggested that a potential Smith-Buatsi rematch could feature later this year as part of a proposed Matchroom vs. Queensberry tag team event.
“And that, by the way, could be a cracking battle to land on the, not the 5 vs. 5, but the 7 vs. 7 against Queensberry coming up,” Hearn said.
The original Matchroom versus Queensberry 5 vs. 5 event in Saudi Arabia was a huge success with British boxing fans, and discussions about an expanded version have continued in recent weeks.
