The surgery also arrives while Bivol’s championship future remains unresolved.

The WBO recently ordered Bivol to defend against interim champion Callum Smith, but Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that a mandatory defense is unlikely if Bivol pursues the Beterbiev trilogy. Hearn said Bivol wants that fight above all else, even if it means giving up the WBO title.

If Bivol vacates, Smith is expected to remain in line for the vacant championship, with Joshua Buatsi viewed as the leading candidate to face him.

Nothing about Thursday’s announcement changes that situation, although the surgery makes it harder to predict when any decision will be finalized. Bivol must first complete his recovery before attention returns to negotiations over the trilogy or the future of the WBO title.

A third meeting with Beterbiev remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions. The only certainty after Thursday’s announcement is that fans will have to wait longer before learning what comes next for the Ring light heavyweight champion.

Scheduled elbow surgery is behind me. Everything went well. Thank you everyone for your support, messages, and kind words 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4lgPVlHZDE

— Dmitry Bivol (@bivol_d) July 23, 2026