A video of a slim Dmitry Bivol training on a heavy bag was posted on social media today. 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 looked atrophied, making him look nothing like the muscular light heavyweight champion who defeated Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025.
Why he doesn’t race Beterbiev
Bivol is currently in rehabilitation and is expected to be out until the first quarter of 2026. However, he will not enter the trilogy fight against Artur Beterbiev or an undisputed championship fight with WBC champion David Benavidez.
Bivol (34) is expected to make a gentle adjustment before facing arch-rival Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) for their third showdown. Dmitri first wants to make sure his back is fully tested in the stay-at-home fight before taking on Beterbiev again.
Even though Bivol has never had a back problem, the trilogy with Artur will be a nightmare for him. Beterbiev clearly acknowledged the mistakes he made in his narrow 12-round majority decision loss to Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh earlier this year. He is expected to be more aggressive in the trilogy and not let his foot off the gas pedal as he did between rounds 7 and 11 last February.
2026 tuning plans
No opponent has been named for Bivol’s first-quarter 2026 matchup, but it likely won’t be someone in the upper tier at 175. That 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-obligatory Benavidez. He did this because he planned to fight 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 may choose to face Benavidez in an attempt to regain the undisputed championship at 175. That fight will probably 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, former undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev is staying busy, fighting Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bout 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 18/10/2025
