Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol, the current unified world light heavyweight champion, has been officially requested by the WBO to provide medical evidence to support the injury that keeps him out of the ring.
The order was issued after the fighter revealed via social media that he underwent surgery for a chronic back injury.
The OMB request gives him 10 working days from notification to submit a detailed report including diagnosis, treatment progress, prognosis and the professional opinion of his treating physician.
Is Dmitry Bivol at risk of losing his titles?
“Failure to comply with this order will result in Mr. Bivol’s waiver of all rights hereunder and to committee proceedings under the WBO World Championship regulations,” said Luis Batista, chairman of the WBO committee.
Since he defeated Artur Beterbiev by majority decision on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bivol has not made any official defense of his titles.
In that fight, he avenged his previous defeat to the same opponent and was crowned unified 175-pound champion, after seven years as the WBA champion.
The pressure now comes not only from the WBO, but also from the IBF, as Michael Eifert is their mandatory challenger.
The defense against the German was close to going to a purse bid when Bivol announced that he had to undergo surgery, stating that he has been carrying the injury for much of his career.
However, if he fails to provide the required medical documentation, the boxer could lose his status as champion, leaving the belts he holds vacant.
Callum Smith could take Bivol’s place as champion
The WBO currently has an interim title in the light heavyweight division, which belongs to Britain’s Callum Smith. If Bivol does not meet the requirements or is confirmed to be out for a long period of time, Smith could be promoted to the full title.
“Mr. Bivol must submit a detailed medical explanation, including the recovery process and medical opinion on when he will be able to compete again,” specified the official letter from the WBO to Vadim Kornilov, the boxer’s representative.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Bivol‘s progress, as his continued dominance at the top will now depend on his ability to prove that he is in the process of recovery and that he will be able to return to the ring soon to defend the title in the ring and not at the table.
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