Bivol’s Next Target Becomes Clearer

Dmitry Bivol is back in training with reports he is finalizing his return to the ring, with Germany’s IBF Michael Eifert as the next target. 

Bivol cemented his place in boxing history in February 2025 by defeating Artur Beterbiev via a majority decision. The win allowed him to avenge his only professional defeat and unify all four major titles. However, the physical toll of back-to-back wars with Beterbiev forced Bivol into surgery last August to fix a herniated disc. 

In a move to prioritize his health and the Beterbiev trilogy over immediate mandatory obligations, Bivol made the decision to vacate his WBC belt in 2025. This allowed David Benavidez to be elevated to full champion status, meaning Bivol currently holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. Eifert has occupied the IBF’s top spot for over a year following his 2023 upset of Jean Pascal. Despite being out of action since August 2024, Eifert has finally secured his mandated title shot.

Bivol’s Future

Bivol is beginning his full training camp in Kyrgyzstan this week. His team is targeting a return date in late March or April 2026. If Bivol wins, a third and final fight against Beterbiev remains the most lucrative and historically significant option for both men. Elsewhere, Bivol has expressed a strong interest in testing the cruiserweight division, with potential targets including unified champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez or the IBF champ Jai Opetaia.

“Dmitry is planning to start training in February. Hopefully, he feels good and we can return starting with the IBF mandatory in due time. It’s hard to say right now whether his back is 100 percent. He has just started moving around and hitting the heavy bag lightly in the recent week or so,” Vadim Kornilov (Bivol’s manager) said