Bivol has not fought since February 2025, when he defeated Artur Beterbiev in their rematch to claim the undisputed championship. The extended absence that followed was linked to back surgery in August, sidelining the 35-year-old champion for the rest of the year and delaying any immediate title commitments. His team indicated that the recovery process went as expected, with no reported setbacks.
The undisputed reign was short. Bivol later vacated the WBC title, which was awarded to David Benavidez, while retaining the WBA, IBF and WBO belts. With the IBF now pushing for his mandatory defence, attention has turned to Eifert, who holds the no. 1 position for more than a year.
Eifert, a German competitor, was also inactive. He has not competed since August 2024 and has remained on the sidelines while waiting for his title opportunity through the sanctioning process. His most notable victory was in 2023, when he defeated former champion Jean Pascal, a result that elevated him to mandatory status and kept him in position.
Bivol’s camp indicated that training is expected to resume in Kyrgyzstan soon. No venue or date has been finalized, and no alternative opponents have been publicly discussed, indicating that the mandatory route remains the clearest way forward at this stage.
With Benavidez scheduled to face Gilberto Ramirez later in the year, Bivol’s decision to address his IBF obligation first allows him to retain control of his remaining titles while easing back into activity.
It’s a practical move, given where he is now.
