The purse bid hearing for Dmitry Bivol’s ordered IBF light heavyweight title defense against Michael Eifert has been postponed once more, with both sides granted another extension to reach terms.
It was confirmed that Friday’s scheduled hearing was pushed back seven days to February 20, unless a deal is finalized before then. The purse bid was initially set for February 3 before the IBF approved a 10-day extension, and the same concession has now been made ahead of the rescheduled date. As is customary, negotiations can continue right up until the hearing begins.
Bivol, the reigning lineal, Ring, WBA, IBF and WBO 175-pound champion, is represented by Matchroom Boxing and manager Vadim Kornilov. Eifert fights under the SES banner and is guided by Blanko Sports’ Benedikt “Benny Blanko” Poelchau. Eifert became the overdue mandatory challenger following Bivol’s February 2025 majority decision win over Artur Beterbiev, which crowned him undisputed champion and avenged his only career defeat.
The new purse bid date comes nearly one year after that rematch with Beterbiev, Bivol’s last appearance in the ring. Eifert has been even less active, fighting only once since his March 2023 upset of former lineal and WBC champion Jean Pascal, amid repeated delays in the IBF’s attempts to enforce the mandatory.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing