Boxing
The film Lean Dmitry Bivol caused a storm among fans after back surgery
Published
8 months agoon
Today, a video was published on social media showing a slim Dmitry Bivol exercising on a ponderous bag. Three-belt airy heavyweight champion Bivol (24-1, 12 KO) is returning from back surgery last August for a herniated disc in his lower back.
Slimmer appearance
Fans have noticed that Bivol’s figure has atrophied, making him no longer resemble the muscular airy heavyweight champion who defeated Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025. Some of them doubt whether Dmitry will be able to come back from spine surgery and remain champion when he faces Arthur in the long-awaited trilogy.
Bivol wouldn’t be the first player to have his career ruined due to back problems. A classic example is middleweight Dmitry Pirog. After defeating rising Daniel Jacobs by fifth-round knockout on July 31, 2010, Pirog suffered a career-ending back injury. Pirog was preparing for the fight with Gennady Golovkin, which was to take place on August 25, 2012 on HBO.
Why is Beterbiev in no hurry?
Bivol is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will be sidelined until the first quarter of 2026. However, he will not be rushing into a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev or an undisputed championship fight against WBC champion David Benavidez.
The 34-year-old Bivol is expected to undergo a brief rehabilitation period before his third fight with his nemesis Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KO). Dmitry wants to make sure his back has been fully tested in the grueling fight before he faces Beterbiev again.
Even if Bivol never had back problems, the Arthur trilogy would be a nightmare for him. Beterbiev clearly admitted the mistakes he made in losing by a slim majority by 12 rounds to Bivol on February 22 in Riyad earlier this year. He is expected to be more aggressive in the trilogy and not take his foot off the gas pedal like he did between rounds 7 and 11 last February.
Tuning plans for 2026
No opponent was mentioned to replace Bivol in the first quarter of 2026, but it likely won’t be anyone top-tier at 175 pounds. It would be too risky. Bivol just needs to remove the rust and fully test his back in combat conditions.
Instead of facing the then mandatory Benavidez, Bivol vacated the WBC title in April 2025. He did it because he planned to fight in a trilogy with Beterbiev. A back injury delayed these plans. The WBC then elevated “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez to the airy heavyweight title through its organization.
Benavidez must wait
Bivol could decide to fight Benavidez to try to regain the undisputed 175 championship. That fight will likely have to wait until 2027 at the earliest. Bivol has preparations for early 2026, followed by a trilogy with Beterbiev in the second half of next year.
For his part, former undisputed airy heavyweight champion Beterbiev is busy fighting Deon Nicholson (22-1, 18 KO) in a 10-round fight on the Benavidez vs. fight card. Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2025 at the ANB Arena in Riyad. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV.
Ken Woods was a senior writer in Boxing News 24 since 2013, covering sports from every angle. With years of reporting from the ring, he delivers fight news, results and analysis that cuts through the noise. Ken’s work consistently focuses on champions, challengers and prospects, giving fans a piercing and informed view of the global boxing scene.
Last update: 18/10/2025
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Boxing
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Published
24 minutes agoon
June 13, 2026
Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.
At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.
After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.
The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020
Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.
Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.
Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.
“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”
“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”
Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).
“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.
Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.
“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.
Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.
Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.
A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.
The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.
Max Kellerman reacts to Canelo Álvarez’s comments about Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias 👀#InsideTheRing | The latest episode LIVE NOW on YouTube The Ring 📺 pic.twitter.com/tfOhDtjgit
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 12, 2026
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
Published
4 hours agoon
June 13, 2026
Errol Spence Jr gained additional motivation to defeat Tim Tszyu, knowing that the winner of the upcoming fight could face a potentially more lucrative opportunity.
The two former world champions will face each other on July 25 in Australia, with Tszyu having the home advantage and looking to rejoin the world stage.
To do this, the 31-year-old must defeat a credible opponent and prove that despite losing three of his last six fights, he remains one of the top super welterweight fighters in the world.
Ideally, he would have fought Spence at 154 pounds, but given his opponent’s three-year layoff, Tszyu ultimately agreed to fight at the catchweight of 158 pounds.
Before the long break, Spence lost the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles to Terence Crawford, who defeated his rival with a surprisingly one-sided ninth-round stoppage.
However, even before his loss to “Bud,” many believed that “The Truth” would be better suited to the 154-pound division, where he plans to make his mark after his triumph over Tszyu.
If such a plan comes to fruition, Spence could enter into a national feud with Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023
According to Mike Coppinger of Ring MagazineCharlo could very well face Tszyu if the Australian wins the fight against Spence.
“I was told he would be lined up to win [Spence-Tszyu]. Of course, nothing has been done yet. I’m told that behind the scenes, Charlo is being lined up for this fight, which will take place at 154 pounds.[lbs]”
Before the 168-pound fight with Canelo, Charlo became the undisputed super welterweight champion by dethroning Brian Castano by a 10th-round stoppage in 2022, less than a year after his controversial boxing draw.
The 36-year-old achieved this ambition by training under Derrick James, who is also Spence’s former head coach.
Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’
Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first
Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu
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