Dmitry Bivol is recovering from back surgery and will be resting for the next 6-8 weeks. The back injury is a problem Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) has had for 10 years.
Bivol’s Next Fight Options
IBF, WBA, and WBO light heavyweight champion Bivol’s surgery might explain why he chose not to take the trilogy fight against Artur Beterbiev. It was a clash that would have paid well for Bivol.
There’s no word yet on who Bivol plans to fight when he does recover. The trilogy fight with Beterbiev will still be there in 2026 if he chooses to go in that direction. There’s also the winner of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight. Canelo would likely be more interested in taking on Bivol than Crawford. He’s choosy and wouldn’t be ambitious enough to fight him.
“Bivol underwent back surgery and will be back in 6-8 weeks. The former undisputed Light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol, is already recovering from back surgery following an injury that, he said, dated back 10 years,” said Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN Knockout on X.
Dmitry Bivol didn’t show any signs of having a back injury during his rematch with Beterbiev earlier this year on February 22nd. He looked the same.
Bivol’s Post-Surgery Career Concerns
It’s questionable whether Bivol will be the same fighter after his back surgery. If his back is stiff and less limber than before, it could affect his mobility, which is a key part of his game. He’s not someone who can stand in front of the big punchers like Beterbiev, David Benavidez, David Morrell, or Imam Khataev. Those light heavyweights would feast on Bivol if he can’t move like before.
Bivol has made millions from his two fights against Beterbiev. So, even if his career does implode after his back surgery, he’s made enough to live well in his home in the picturesque city of St. Petersburg, Russia.