WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is obliged to begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Sullivan Barrera. This was reported by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza: "I inform you that Barrera is a mandatory challenger for Bivol, and starting from November 27, athletes should begin negotiations on holding a duel," wrote Mendoza via his twitter.
Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov says that the athlete plans to face Barrera in February or March 2018 in New York.