It looks like unified light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol's awaited return will happen in May on the Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight title PPV from Egypt.
Unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia and International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger Michael Eifert of Germany have reached an agreement for their upcoming title fight, and that prompted the IBF to cancel the purse bid that had been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. That purse bid had already been postponed three times as both sides worked toward finalizing a deal, but the agreement means the sanctioning body no longer needs to oversee the bidding process.
A source familiar with the situation told insider Dan Rafael, the bout is being targeted for the undercard of the 2026 return of unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. That's for his upcoming defense against renowned kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven. The odd event is scheduled to headline a major card presented by The Ring on May 23rd and the show is expected to take place outdoors at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Giza to be broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.
Back to Bivol, 24-1, 12 KOs, the 35 year old is preparing to return following back surgery he underwent in August. The Russian star has not fought since defeating longtime rival Artur Beterbiev by majority decision in their immediate rematch last February. That victory allowed Bivol to avenge a narrow loss in their first meeting in October 2024 and secure the undisputed light heavyweight championship at that time.
However, Bivol’s time as the undisputed champion was brief, as six weeks after the win, he vacated the WBC title to prioritize a previously discussed trilogy fight with Beterbiev. This was instead of fulfilling a mandatory defense against their "interim champion'" David Benavidez. Ultimately, plans for Bivol vs. Beterbiev III fell apart, largely due to Bivol’s back surgery and the recovery time that followed.
As for Eifert, 13-1, 5 KO), the little known 28 year old earned his mandatory position with the IBF in March 2023. He agreed to step aside so that Bivol and Beterbiev could complete their rematch with all four major titles still on the line. As a result, the German contender was given assurance by the IBF that he'd be the next opponent for Bivol or Bivol would be faced with having to give up their belt. And, Eifert has been waiting patiently for his championship opportunity, while having not fought since August 2024.
Because of Bivol’s surgery, the IBF granted him a medical exemption that allowed him to delay this mandatory defense deadline, and now with the agreement now finalized, Eifert will finally receive his long-awaited title shot.
Meanwhile, one of the most dynamic fighters of the last decade of light heavyweight boxing will defend all three titles and then, likely look to pursue fighting Beterbiev a third time, perhaps later in 2026.
Bivol had amassed 23 straight wins as pro, including defeating future hall of famer Canelo Alvarez in a dominant performance over 12 rounds in May of 2022. Beterbiev defeated him narrowly by split decision in their long awaited first fight, which set the rematch early last year into motion,