Unified light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will undergo surgery on his injured left elbow July 4, and will return to fight his WBO top-ranked contender Callum Smith, BoxingScene learned Thursday.
The WBO is expected to order Bivol-Smith Friday.
Bivol, 25-1 (12 KOs), through his promoter Matchroom Boxing, has informed the WBO of the plans after Bivol returned from a year–plus absence connected to back surgery and defeated Michael Eifert by unanimous decision May 30.
Bivol’s decision allows him to retain his WBO belt, but disappoints those calling for him to stage a trilogy bout with Russian countryman Artur Beterbiev after they split the first two tightly contested matches.
WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez has also expressed interest in fighting Bivol for the undisputed title.
Instead, England’s Matchroom-promoted former super-middleweight champion Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), elevates to the title shot after his impressive February 2025 victory over Joshua Buatsi.
The timetable for Bivol’s return will be known following his surgery, an official connected to the situation said.