Bivol's unified title in limbo as WBO seeks medical proof

Dmitry Bivol’s status as the unified light heavyweight champion remains in a delicate balance as multiple sanctioning bodies demand accountability for his health and recovery after back surgery. The WBO has ordered Bivol to submit detailed medical documentation within 10 days, showing the injury, treatment progress, and the physician’s prognosis for return. At the same time, the IBF is still awaiting a formal request from Bivol for a medical exception that would preserve his title while he remains unavailable, leaving the possibility of a mandatory challenger looming. If either body concludes that Bivol cannot safely defend within its timelines, belt implications could follow, with the WBO interim title held by Callum Smith and the IBF title potentially moving to its next in line, Michael Eifert.

Bivol’s situation is the result of a back issue that required surgery after years of dealing with discomfort during training. In public remarks, the champion said the operation was necessary to address a problem that had persisted for more than a decade, and he described a recovery period of roughly six to eight weeks before resuming training. He stressed that returning to the ring...