Dmitriy Bivol X photo

Dmitriy Bivol Back Surgery Successful, Eyes 2026 Trilogy Beterbiev Bout in Russia

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Indio, CA (August 9th, 2025)– On Friday, August 8, 2025, World Light Heavyweight champion Dmitriy Bivol underwent successful back surgery for a decades-old and progressively painful back injury, which required surgical correction to continue his boxing career. Bivol posted public photos on X so as to clarify what happened, and his future prognosis, in his current hometown of St. Petersburg.

Bivol, 24-1 with we knockouts, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation and Indio, California, by way of Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan, won a rematch with Artur Beterbiev to claimed the undisputed world light heavyweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 22, 2025. Six Weeks later, Bivol surrendered the World Boxing Council belt and vacated it as he was unable to fight mandatory challenger David Benavidez due to his pending back surgery.

Michael Eifert, 13-1 with five knockouts, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, Bivol’s mandatory International Boxing Federation challenger, with instead fight for the for the vacant interim IBF Light Heavyweight title, with Bivol obligated to fight the winner if he defeats Beterbiev in their 2026 trilogy bout first.

Dmitriy Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, told Fight Freaks it is Dimitriy’s intention is to fight the trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev once fully healed from his back surgery, and he has obtained medical clearance to resume training. The WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts will be at stake, but not the WBC belt. “Dmitriy felt it was better to have the surgery now, instead of having to cancel the (Beterbiev) fight during training camp time in the future if things (the back injury and the pain). Dmitriy has a lot of respect for his opponents and his obligations to the organizing party (promoters).” Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh gave Bivol and Beterbiev permission to hold the trilogy bout on a card in early 2026 on Russian Federation soil by another promoter willing to pay up for the fight.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].