Bivol signs with Matchroom, faces Smith on March 9th

The fight could take place in Verona or Mashantucket

Just a quick update on our piece from earlier today: ESPN reports that WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has officially signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom boxing, setting him up to continue his reign on DAZN. His previously announced bout with Joe Smith Jr. will have its date and venue announced Friday, but “a source with knowledge” informed ESPN that it would take place March 9th in either Verona, NY or Mashantucket, CN.

Bivol (15-0, 11 KO) went 3-0 in 2018, scoring victories over Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, and Jean Pascal. This was his fourth consecutive year with at least three appearances, which is a trend I’d love to see him continue.

Smith Jr. (24-2, 20 KO) fought just once in 2018, but it wasn’t for lack of trying; he bounced between planned matchups against Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, the latter of whom he’d signed to fight before Beterbiev withdrew due to a lack of adequate preparation time.