“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.

Fury vs Wach tickets have gone on sale for up to £337 for one of only 1,500 places inside Max Muay Thai Stadium, despite the fight not being streamed live.

Tyson Fury faces Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 24 in a 12-round heavyweight contest unlike anything else on his record.

Standard and VIP tickets went on sale on Monday, with the seating plan opening as fans were given their first chance to secure one of the limited places inside the venue.

Tickets are priced at 10,000 and 15,000 Thai baht, with the top VIP option costing around £337.

The stadium is the only place fans can watch Fury vs Wach live after the former heavyweight champion confirmed the fight will not be streamed.

Instead, Netflix will record the event for Season 3 of At Home with the Furys.

Fury vs Wach Tickets Go on Sale

Only 1,500 tickets are available for the event at Max Muay Thai Stadium, with fans told not to arrive before 9:45 pm local time.

Doors open at 10 pm before the first bout begins at 10:15 pm, with the action continuing into the early hours.

Profits from ticket sales will go to the Father Ray Foundation, while Fury will be presented with the inaugural WBC Humanitarian title on the night.

The former WBC heavyweight champion retired for the fifth time in 2025 before spending time in Thailand and eventually returning to the sport.

He has since relocated part of his training operation to Pattaya and credits his time in the country with helping reignite his desire to fight.

Tyson Fury’s Anthony Joshua Preparation

From a boxing perspective, Fury vs Wach has all the hallmarks of a novelty fight due to the opponent, charity angle and unusual broadcast arrangement.

As WBN previously reportedthe 46-year-old Wach has lost four of his last six contests and represents an underwhelming choice for a fighter building toward Anthony Joshua.

However, Fury clearly wants to give back to the Thai people who helped him fall back in love with the sport after his latest retirement.

Whether that is the correct decision and ideal preparation for the biggest British rival he has never faced remains to be seen.

For now, anyone wanting to watch Fury vs Wach as it happens will have to be inside Max Muay Thai Stadium.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.

Former welterweight world champion Kell Brook has given his prediction for the long-awaited showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The all-British heavyweight clash is expected to take place in November following years of failed talks, after contracts were signed back in April. There are, however, obstacles remaining, as both Fury and Joshua will fight once in the interim.

Speaking to Boxing King MediaBrook concluded that, despite both ‘AJ’ and ‘The Gypsy King’ being past their best, he leans towards Fury.

“I can’t really say who I want to win. Whoever wants it the most, whoever gets the win, deserves it. Who I think is gonna win the fight, in my opinion, is Tyson Fury. I just think he’s more natural. He’s [been] boxing since he could walk.

“If you ask me closer to the fight… AJ’s got that one-two, those straight shots, an unbelievable athlete. Fury had a long time out. They both aren’t the same fighters. We’ll have to wait and see, but I lean towards Fury.”

Last week, Fury announced that he will be fighting Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24. The following night in Saudi Arabia, Joshua takes on little-known heavyweight Kristian Prenga.

After their respective warm-up fights in late July, if both emerge victorious as expected, it is likely there will be official confirmation of one of the most anticipated fights in boxing.

Some details, however, remain up in the air, with the location still being determined and the US said to be just as likely as the UK.