Dmitry Bivol undergoes back surgery, sidelining unified light heavyweight champion until 2026

Dmitry Bivol, the unified light heavyweight champion, has undergone back surgery, sidelining him until 2026. Bivol, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles, has filed a medical exemption with the IBF due to the successful surgery. The Russian boxer, who is known for his technical prowess and strategic approach to the sport, is expected to be out of action for an extended period as he recovers from the procedure. This news comes as a significant setback for Bivol, who has been dominant in the division and was poised for high-profile fights in the near future. The details of the injury and the specific nature of the surgery have not been publicly disclosed, but the recovery timeline suggests a complex and extensive rehabilitation process. This will undoubtedly impact Bivol's plans and the dynamics of the light heavyweight division, as the boxing community awaits his return to the ring.