Bivol returns to face IBF mandatory Michael Eifert after relinquishing WBC belt
Dmitry Bivol defends his IBF title against Michael Eifert on May 30 in Yekaterinburg. The mandatory defense follows his decision to relinquish the WBC belt and keep his position tied to Artur Beterbiev.
The bout had been in the works as part of the undercard to Oleksandr Usyk’s planned heavyweight event, but that plan has now been dropped. The change moves Bivol out of a supporting slot on an international card and into a main-event position in his home country.
Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) has been out of the ring since February 2025, leaving him inactive for more than a year heading into this return. The IBF then ordered the Eifert fight after the German secured his position with a knockout over Imam Khataev.
Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs) has not faced the same level of opposition as Bivol, but the mandatory ruling leaves no room to maneuver. Staging the fight in Russia gives Bivol a controlled home setting for his return instead of placing him on a card built around another main event.
Bivol said, “On May 30, I’ll be stepping into the ring. I promise to put on a beautiful and exciting fight. Two months of hard preparation ahead. I’ll be glad to see each of you there!”
He added, “Ahead are two months of hard work to put on a beautiful and spectacular fight.”
The change pulls one of the stronger title fights off the planned Egypt card, which was expected to carry depth beneath its main event. Bivol now headlines in Ekaterinburg against a challenger he is widely expected to handle.
This takes care of a belt obligation, but it does not clarify where he stands against the leading names at light heavyweight.