WBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has been ordered by the sanctioning body to produce medical documentation about his back injury, surgery, and prognosis. Bivol recently had back surgery. The WBO is insisting on transparency for his recovery and wants to view the physician\u2019s reports.<\/p>\n
Bivol\u2019s Complicated Back Surgery Recovery<\/strong><\/p>\n If Bivol\u2019s doctor says he can\u2019t return to the ring beyond the WBO\u2019s 9-month window<\/strong> for defenses against mandatory challengers, he could be stripped of his belt. It would be up to the WBO to decide. He\u2019s got Callum Smith, 35, who is waiting for his title shot, and he\u2019s not getting any younger. If he has to wait a year, he might be too old by then to dethrone Bivol.<\/p>\n Bivol, 34, hasn\u2019t fought since defeating undisputed 175-lb champion Artur Beterbiev by a 12-round majority decision earlier this year in their rematch on February 22nd in Riyadh. Dmitry (24-1, 12 KOs) sacrificed his WBC title to mandatory David Benavidez when he failed to defend against him. Now, Bivol could lose his WBO belt as well.<\/p>\n Callum Smith: The Mandatory Challenger Waiting<\/strong><\/p>\n This could play into Matchroom fighter Callum Smith\u2019s hands if Bivol fails to supply the WBO\u2019s required medical documentation that they\u2019re demanding. Smith would then be elevated to the new WBO light heavyweight champion; presumably, that would eliminate his ordered title defense against David Morrell.<\/p>\n Eddie Hearn\u2019s Potential Strategic Victory<\/strong><\/p>\n Promoter Eddie Hearn would be overjoyed with Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) being elevated to the new WBO champion. He\u2019d be a two-division world champion, and it would potentially save him from having to defend against the Cuban Morrell. Hearn has got to know what Smith is up against, fighting the much younger and technically superior Morrell. Dodging that fight would be a dream.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd4a WBO Issues Interim Medical Certification to Dmitry Bivol<\/p>\n Following recent back surgery, WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol has been ordered to provide detailed medical documentation regarding his injury, recovery prognosis, and clearance to return to the ring. The\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/OKzrQtEgqs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n