Russian Dmitry Bivol marked his return from a 15-month lay-off with a dominant display against Michael Eifert to defend his unified light-heavyweight crown in his home nation.

With the IBF and WBA world titles on the line, all three judges scored the bout 118-107 in favour of the 35-year-old Bivol.

The win was Bivol’s first since February 2025 when he gained revenge on Artur Beterbiev – the only fighter to have beaten him – before having back surgery six months later.

Bivol, who has wins over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez, knocked Germany’s Eifert down in the first round with a heavy left hook.

Eifert was able to beat the count and made it to the bell at the end of the 12th round but could not trouble one of the pound-for-pound greats.

With a win apiece, a trilogy bout with compatriot Beterbiev could be on the horizon for Bivol, while WBA (Super) and WBO cruiserweight champion David Benavidez, who recently stepped up from light-heavyweight, has been talking up the prospect of facing the Russian.