Overview
- Both camps notified the IBF that terms are agreed, leading the federation to cancel a scheduled purse bid, according to reporting from Dan Rafael and others.
- The matchup fulfills Bivol’s IBF mandatory defense against Michael Eifert, who has held the position since March 2023 after multiple delays and short extensions.
- The bout is planned for the DAZN pay-per-view card headlined by Oleksandr Usyk vs. kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza.
- Bivol has not fought since his February 2025 rematch with Artur Beterbiev and later disclosed he underwent back surgery before resuming training.
- Team Bivol continues to signal interest in a potential trilogy with Beterbiev after this defense, pending results and negotiations.