A video of a thin-looking Dmitry Bivol working out on a heavy bag was posted today on social media. The three-belt light heavyweight champion Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) is returning from back surgery last August for a herniated disc in his lower back.
The Leaner Look
Fans noted how Bivol’s physique appeared atrophied, making him look nothing like the muscular light heavyweight champion who defeated Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025. Some of them doubt Dmitry will be able to come back from his back surgery to remain champion when he faces Artur in the long-awaited trilogy.
Bivol wouldn’t be the first fighter whose career was ruined after a back problem. Middleweight Dmitry Pirog is a classic example. After defeating an up-and-coming Daniel Jacobs by a fifth-round knockout on July 31, 2010, Pirog suffered a career-ending back injury. Pirog was training for a fight against Gennadiy Golovkin that had been scheduled for August 25, 2012, on HBO.
Why He’s Not Rushing Beterbiev
Bivol is currently in rehabilitation and is expected to be out until the first quarter of 2026. However, he won’t rush into the trilogy fight against Artur Beterbiev or an undisputed championship bout with WBC champion David Benavidez.
Bivol, 34, is expected to take a soft tune-up before facing his nemesis Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) for their third clash. Dmitry wants to ensure that his back has been fully tested in the stay-busy fight first before he faces Beterbiev again.
Even if Bivol had never suffered a back problem, the trilogy with Artur is going to be a nightmare for him. Beterbiev has clearly acknowledged the mistakes he made in his narrow 12-round majority decision loss to Bivol on February 22nd in Riyadh earlier this year. He’s expected to be more aggressive in the trilogy, and not let his foot off the gas pedal the way he did between rounds 7 and 11 last February.
2026 Tune-Up Plans
No opponent has been mentioned for Bivol’s tune-up in the first quarter of 2026, but it’s not likely going to be anyone in the top tier at 175. It would be too risky. Bivol just needs to get the rust out and fully test his back under combat conditions.
Bivol vacated his WBC title in April 2025 rather than face his then mandatory Benavidez. He did that because he had planned on fighting the trilogy match with Beterbiev. The back injury delayed those plans. The WBC then elevated ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez to light heavyweight champion with their organization.
Benavidez Must Wait
Bivol could choose to face Benavidez to try to recapture the undisputed championship at 175. That fight will likely have to wait until 2027 at the earliest. Bivol has the tune-up for early 2026, then the trilogy with Beterbiev in the second half of next year.
For his part, the former undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev is staying busy, fighting Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round fight on the undercard of Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The event will be streamed live on DAZN PPV.
Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst covering world title fights since 2018.
Last Updated on 10/18/2025
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