Dmitry Bivol and Michael Eifert have been given ten more days to reach an agreement. The IBF has now scheduled the purse bid hearing for February 13 – the mandatory light heavyweight bout thus remains on hold.
The scheduled mandatory fight between IBF champion Dmitry Bivol and Michael Eifert will not go to auction for the time being. The IBF has postponed the purse bid hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday and granted both teams a ten-day extension. The new date is February 13. Both sides had jointly requested the postponement. And this is not unusual in such proceedings. In principle, a deal can be reached until shortly before the hearing – the IBF is now deliberately leaving this door open for longer.
Bivol works with Matchroom Boxing and manager Vadim Kornilov, while Eifert boxes under the SES banner and is managed by Benedikt “Benny Blanko” Poelchau (Blanko Sports). For Eifert, it is the next postponement in an incredibly long process. The 28-year-old has been the IBF challenger since his surprise win over Jean Pascal in March 2023, but has only fought once since then.
Bivol’s health also plays a role: Following an operation on a long-standing disc problem, he is expected to make his comeback in the spring – but the title course must first be clarified.
Text by Robin Josten