“The WBO World Championship Committee has officially ordered the commencement of negotiations for the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship between WBO World Champion Dmitrii Bivol & Interim World Champion Callum Smith,” Olivieri said on X.

Under WBO regulations, the two sides have 20 days to reach an agreement. If no deal is struck within that period, the sanctioning body will order a purse bid to determine promotional rights for the contest.

The order comes just days after Bivol underwent successful elbow surgery. Despite the procedure, his team has indicated the unified champion is expected to return later this year.

Smith earned his mandatory position by winning the WBO interim light heavyweight title and has been waiting for a shot at the full champion. The former WBA super middleweight titleholder is seeking to become a two-division world champion.

The mandatory defense could also reshape the rest of the light heavyweight division.

Before the WBO’s decision, much of the attention had been on a potential third fight between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev or a future clash with WBC champion David Benavidez. The order means Bivol must either defend against Smith, relinquish the WBO belt, or seek an exemption from the sanctioning body if he wants to pursue another bout first.