What’s Next For Dmitry Bivol?

The IBF says they are yet to receive a formal medical exception request from Dmitry Bivol, despite his recent back surgery.

Bivol (24-1) last fought in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, avenging his sole career defeat to Artur Beterbiev via a majority decision. Following the bout, his doctor advised that it was the right time to undergo surgery, with a projected 6–8 week recovery window. The IBF ordered Bivol to face his mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on July 1. Eifert, who secured his mandatory position by defeating Jean Pascal in March 2023, has been waiting for his shot. If Bivol fails to convince the IBF to delay the defense, he risks losing yet another of his former undisputed titles at 175 pounds after vacating his WBC belt.

Looking at his future options, vacating the IBF title would simplify some things while complicating others. A fight with Michael Eifert is not a major draw for Bivol. By vacating, he can bypass this less-than-lucrative mandatory defense and focus on more significant matchups. The most prominent of these is a potential trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev.

With their rivalry currently tied at one win apiece, a third fight would be a massive event and a huge payday for both men. By shedding the IBF belt, Bivol and his team would have more flexibility to negotiate the terms and timing for the Beterbiev trilogy without being constrained by a mandatory challenger. Prior to this injury news, Beterbiev had accused Bivol of ducking.

The Future

“Our next fight was supposed to take place in Russia. You know what we’re talking about now. The third fight with @bivol_d. We were offered great conditions, which were almost impossible to refuse. For my part, I did everything to make the third fight happen, but my opponent chose the path of retreat again. I’ve waited long enough, and I don’t intend to wait any longer. Sitting around doing nothing while someone else is resting is too much,” Beterbiev said 

However, losing the IBF title also has negative ramifications. It is still a huge part of his brand and legacy. By vacating belt, he is losing that status. While a Beterbiev trilogy or a Canelo rematch are huge fights, losing belts can weaken Bivol’s negotiating power. He would be coming to the table with fewer championships, which can affect his claim to a bigger share of the purse. Bivol now has plenty to ponder moving forward.