Physical durability has never exactly been the greatest strength of outstanding Russian light heavyweight Dmitrii Bivol. The WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight world champion returned to the ring in May after a lengthy layoff caused by back surgery, and now he is set for another spell on the sidelines, this time because of an elbow operation.
Bivol will undergo surgery on July 4, and the length of his recovery will only be determined after the procedure. However, the Russian has already informed the WBO of his intention to face mandatory challenger Callum Smith as soon as he is medically cleared in order to avoid being stripped of his title.
Smith had been scheduled to face Cuban contender David Morrell in a final eliminator, but the bout fell through due to an injury suffered by Smith himself. Morrell then faced late replacement Zak Chelli and was stunningly knocked out, losing his lofty position in the rankings.
The WBO therefore decided to automatically designate Smith as the mandatory challenger, and the British fighter is now eagerly awaiting his opportunity. Smith is a former super middleweight world champion, but he has yet to capture a world title at light heavyweight after suffering a seventh-round technical knockout defeat to Russia’s Artur Beterbiev in his only title shot at 175 pounds.
Smith’s career appeared to be heading toward its twilight, but his surprising victory over previously unbeaten fellow Briton Joshua Buatsi in February 2025 put him firmly back on track. Now, however, the Matchroom Boxing fighter has been inactive for a considerable period and may choose to take a tune-up fight while waiting for Bivol to recover.
Fans hoping to witness a third showdown between Bivol and Beterbiev will therefore be disappointed after the first two fights ended with one victory apiece. Beterbiev, who recently reiterated his disagreement with the judges’ decision in the second fight against Bivol, may now turn his attention to the WBC title.
The current holder is David Benavidez, who has also become the WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion. Should the American of Mexican descent decide to remain at the 200-pound limit, the WBC could declare the light heavyweight title vacant and stage a fight between two top-ranked contenders for the vacant belt. Beterbiev is currently No. 1 in the rankings, closely followed by Britain’s Ben Whittaker…