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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n