Career Timeline of Dmitry Bivol: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dmitry Bivol made an impact.

Dmitry Yuryevich Bivol is a Russian professional boxer who has achieved significant recognition in the light-heavyweight division. He is the current undisputed light-heavyweight champion since February 2025, holding the IBO and Ring magazine titles. Bivol previously held the WBA light-heavyweight title from 2019 to 2024, along with a prior reign as IBO champion, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 2014: Professional Boxing Debut

In November 2014, Dmitry Bivol made his professional boxing debut and subsequently won his first six fights by knockout.

May 2016: Wins Interim WBA Light Heavyweight Title

On May 21, 2016, Dmitry Bivol won the interim WBA light heavyweight title by defeating Felix Valera via unanimous decision with scores of 119–107, 119–107, and 116–111.

February 2017: First Title Defense Against Robert Berridge

On February 23, 2017, Dmitry Bivol defended his interim WBA light heavyweight title against Robert Berridge, winning by a technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round.

April 2017: Title Defense Against Samuel Clarkson

On April 14, 2017, Dmitry Bivol defended his interim title against Samuel Clarkson, securing a TKO victory in the fourth round during a ShoBox event at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

November 2017: Elevation to Full Champion and Fight Against Trent Broadhurst

In November 2017, Dmitry Bivol was elevated to full WBA light heavyweight champion after the other titleholders vacated their titles. He then fought Trent Broadhurst on November 4, 2017, winning by knockout in the first round. The fight averaged 341,000 viewers on HBO.

March 2018: Bivol's last stoppage win

Dmitry Bivol's TKO win over Zinad in June 2024 was his first stoppage win since March 2018, ending a run of nine consecutive unanimous decision wins.

March 2018: Defeats Sullivan Barrera

On March 3, 2018, Dmitry Bivol defeated Sullivan Barrera by TKO in the 12th round, marking the toughest test of his career at the time. The fight was part of a doubleheader alongside Sergey Kovalev's title defense.

August 2018: Loss to Marcus Browne

In August 2018, Lenin Castillo suffered a decision loss to Marcus Browne, before his fight with Dmitry Bivol.

2018: Callum Smith wins World Boxing Super Series tournament

In 2018, Callum Smith won the World Boxing Super Series tournament, which could have led to a potential fight with Dmitry Bivol.

January 2019: Signs with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing USA

In January 2019, Dmitry Bivol signed a multi-fight contract with DAZN and a promotional contract with Matchroom Boxing USA, leading to a TV deal with Sky Sports in the UK. His first fight on DAZN was announced against Joe Smith Jr.

2019: WBA Light-Heavyweight Title

In 2019, Dmitry Bivol held the World Boxing Association (WBA) light-heavyweight title (Super version).

February 2021: Fight Against Craig Richards Announced

On February 19, 2021, Dmitry Bivol's fight against Craig Richards was revealed, scheduled for May 1 at the Manchester Arena. Bivol was a significant favorite, and Eddie Hearn discussed potential future fights, including against Gilberto Ramirez and Artur Beterbiev.

November 2021: Bivol vs Salamov Announced

In November 2021, Dmitry Bivol's third WBA (Super) title defense against Umar Salamov was announced. The fight was scheduled for December 11 at the KRK Uralets in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and was to be the main event of a DAZN broadcast card.

February 2022: Bivol vs. Álvarez Announced

In February 2022, Dmitry Bivol's fourth WBA (Super) title defense against Canelo Álvarez was announced for May 7. The fight was to be televised as DAZN's first pay-per-view offering in the United States and Canada.

May 2022: Ramírez becomes mandatory challenger

In May 2022 Gilberto Ramírez became the mandatory challenger after stopping Dominic Boesel in a final eliminator.

July 2022: WBA Orders Bivol to Fight Ramírez

In July 2022, the WBA ordered Dmitry Bivol to make a mandatory title defence against Gilberto Ramírez, who had become the mandatory after winning a final eliminator in May.

September 2022: Álvarez-Golovkin trilogy signed for September 2022

After the fight, Bivol apologised to his promoter Eddie Hearn, who had the Álvarez-Golovkin trilogy fight signed for September 2022.

November 2023: Bivol vs. Arthur Announced

In November 2023, it was announced that Dmitry Bivol would defend his WBA title against Lyndon Arthur on December 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Riyadh Season banner.

January 2024: Hearn Eyes January Return for Bivol

In November 2023, Eddie Hearn stated he'd like to get Bivol back in the ring in January 2024 in preparation for fighting Beterbiev.

June 2024: Beterbiev Withdraws, Zinad Steps In

In June 2024, Artur Beterbiev withdrew from his scheduled fight against Dmitry Bivol due to a ruptured meniscus. Malik Zinad was selected as a replacement to fight Bivol.

October 2024: Beterbiev-Bivol Undisputed Fight Announced

In June 2024, soon after Bivol's fight with Zinad, Turki Alalshikh announced that the Beterbiev-Bivol undisputed fight would take place on October 12, 2024.

November 2024: News Breaks of Huge Riyadh Card

In November 2024, news broke about a huge card being planned for Riyadh in February 2025, to close off Riyadh Season, with the rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol headlining the event.

2024: End of WBA Title Reign

In 2024, Dmitry Bivol no longer held the World Boxing Association (WBA) light-heavyweight title (Super version).

February 2025: Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Champion

In February 2025, Dmitry Bivol has held the undisputed light-heavyweight championship.

February 2025: Beterbiev-Bivol Rematch Made Official

On December 2, 2024, the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol was made official for February 22, 2025, for the undisputed light heavyweight title.

October 2025: Bivol - Beterbiev Rematch could take place in October 2025

Bob Arum spoke about the possible rematch between Bivol and Beterbiev and explained that because Riyadh Season ends in February, it meant the rematch could take place in October 2025.