THE SIDELINES : Ailing French Boxer to Give Up Title

GRENOBLE, France — Taoufik Belbouli of France, the World Boxing Assn. cruiserweight champion, had an operation on his knee and will have to give up his title, a spokesman for his managers said today.

“Our boxer, who was operated on Tuesday morning, will not be able to go back into the ring before January, 1990. He will have to forfeit his world crown that he will not be able to defend before Sept. 25,” Bernard Melac said.

Belbouli was scheduled to defend his title against American Robert Daniels in Tunisia this month. The bout was postponed several times because of Belbouli’s injury to his right knee.

The WBA has not decided how the new champion will be chosen.