After what has been a quiet 2023 for Bivol, he closed out the year with a comprehensive points win over Lyndon Arthur at "Day of Reckoning". 

Now Bivol looks to be more active next year with many fans hoping he will finally face Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175lb title. 

But in order for that fight to be one step closer to being made, Beterbiev will need to beat Callum Smith when the pair meet on January 13. 

A new name has since been thrown into the mix to face Bivol next with the WBA light heavyweight champion revealing that Turki Alashikh, the Saudi Chairman of the General Authority for Entertainment, would like to see the 33-year-old face Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia. 

“Turki Alalshikh asked me, let’s make the fight against Jai Opetaia,” Bivol told Boxing Social. 

However, while it is a suggestion that Bivol did not completely shut down, he reiterated that conquering the light heavyweight division remains the focus for now. 

“But to be honest I told him I want to do everything in my weight division and then we will see, maybe I will move up but I couldn’t say let’s make a fight with him," Bivol added. 

"I’m focused on my weight division to be honest for now.”

Opetaia also fought on the "Day of Reckoning" card and produced a devastating first round knockout against Britain's Ellis Zorro.