To say that Michael Eifert has been patient would be an understatement.
March 16 will mark the three-year anniversary since he became the IBF light heavyweight mandatory challenger. The hope for the 28-year-old streaking contender from Magdeburg, Germany, is that he can celebrate this year’s milestone with an actual shot at the crown.
The good news for Eifert, 13-1 (5 KOs), is that lineal and unified 175lbs champ Dmitry Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), is officially on the clock to honor his long-overdue mandatory. A title fight was ordered last year, only for Bivol to be granted a medical exception as he underwent surgery to relieve a protracted herniated disc issue.
With the matchup now back in play, Eifert has become the happiest man in the room.
“I have waited a long time. Now, finally, the IBF has given Bivol a clear deadline,” Eifert said of the opportunity. “I used that time to develop as a fighter in the gym. I am in the shape of my life and ready to shock the world.”
Eifert defeated former lineal champion Jean Pascal in a March 2023 title eliminator to become the top contender. He has had just one fight since then, while waiting on a Bivol fight to materialize. There were also plans for a vacant interim title fight that were ultimately scrapped for various reasons beyond his control.
Bivol, the reigning lineal, Ring, WBA, IBF and WBO champ, must commit to the ordered title fight, as he is out of exceptions or options. Sanctioning bodies will generally allow unification bouts to trump a mandatory.
However, the WBC title belongs to David Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs), who is due to challenge WBA/WBO cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in May 2 in Las Vegas. Bivol already gave up the WBC title in lieu of a title consolidation bout with Benavidez, who was the interim titlist when their fight was ordered a year ago.
The reassuring news for Eifert and his team is that Bivol has acknowledged the title fight obligation and is working on a plan to proceed with the fight in early spring.
That said, Bivol and his side need to get moving on those plans. Should a deal not be in place by the IBF-imposed deadline, the matter will head to a purse bid hearing.
Benedikt Poelchau, head of Blanko Sports and affiliated with SES Boxing, is eager to give his fighter Eifert as much of an edge as he can gain.
“This is a mega-fight for German boxing,” insisted Poelchau, best known as “Benny Blanko” in boxing circles. “No other German boxer has ever been involved in such a fight. Michael is in the shape of his life. We are ready to stage this fight in Germany.”
Neither fighter will have a real advantage over the other in terms of activity. Eifert has been out since August 2024 for the abovementioned issues.
Bivol has not fought since his February 2025 majority decision over Artur Beterbiev to become undisputed champion. A 35-year-old career-long light heavyweight, Bivol avenged his lone career defeat in the process but also became the antagonist in plans falling through for a rubber match with Beterbiev, his top divisional rival.
Prior to his loss to Beterbiev, Bivol was the sport’s second-longest active titleholder – having held the WBA belt from November 2017 through his October 2024 defeat. He long ago earned his place as one of the best, though the sport is filled with changing-of-the-guard moments.
“Bivol is already a legend of the sport,” Eifert said. “But that is exactly what motivates me. This is my chance for greatness. I have waited my entire life for this day. I know I can dethrone him.”
