IBF cancels Dmitry Bivol-Michael Eifert purse bid after deal reached

Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) holds the IBF light heavyweight title and now moves forward with a defense against the mandatory challenger. Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs) secured the position after advancing through the IBF elimination process and has waited several months for a title fight. The German contender earned his spot by winning the final eliminator ordered by the IBF, placing him next in line for the belt.

The sanctioning body had ordered a purse bid after negotiations between the camps extended beyond the original deadline.

The date had already been moved several times. Both camps later notified the IBF that a deal had been reached, which allowed the sanctioning body to cancel the purse bid.

Multiple postponements had taken place since late 2025 while the teams continued working toward terms.

Adding Bivol-Eifert gives the May 23 event another championship fight alongside the unusual main event between Usyk and Verhoeven. Usyk will defend the WBC heavyweight title against Verhoeven, a decorated kickboxing champion making his professional boxing debut after a long career at the top of that sport.

Bivol’s defense against Eifert is expected to be one of the featured fights on the card, which promoters have promoted as an international event staged at the Pyramids of Giza. The show will combine traditional championship boxing with a crossover main event designed to draw attention from both boxing and kickboxing audiences.