Bivol vs. Eifert live results, round-by-round analysis
For the first time after avenging the lone loss of his career, Dmitry Bivol is back.
Bivol (24-1) puts his WBA, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight titles on the line against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert (13-1). This fight takes place inside UMMC Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Will Eifert become only the second fighter since Artur Beterbiev to hang a loss on Bivol’s storied career? Or will the champion take care of business and set the stage for his next box office bouts?
Keep refreshing this page for the latest on the Bivol vs. Eifert main event.
Final Thoughts
Heading into this fight, everyone knew what was going to happen after the final bell sounded.
Now that Bivol has gotten his mandatory challenger out of the way (and, indeed, now that Bivol has gotten a nice injection of confidence after his back surgery), let’s talk about the money fights.
Personally, I’d rather see a Bivol-Benavidez clash take place before Beterbiev gets his third installment. It should be noted, however, that Bivol’s camp has already been contracted to fight Beterbiev a third time. Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn said so a couple of months after Bivol won the second bout.
Would the undisputed champ vs. the undefeated Benavidez be just as interesting if Bivol loses to Beterbiev in the conclusion of their trilogy? That, to me, would be a wasted opportunity. Then again, the clock is ticking on 41-year-old Beterbiev, so I understand the case for the rubber match as well.
One thing’s for sure, though: Hearn and every other promoter involved in this situation need to get a move on. As I wrote in my preview of the Eifert fight that we just saw, Bivol’s return is a welcome boost for the light heavyweight division. For a change, boxing’s matchmakers should strike while the iron is hot.
At the end of the day, I think that was Bivol’s underlying mindset in this fight with Eifert: Never take things for granted. Bivol looked as methodical and masterful as ever, and at the end of the night, there were no questions surrounding the victor of the main event. Now that the light heavyweight king is back, let’s not act like he’ll be around forever. One way or another, a big fight with a big B (Beterbiev or Benavidez) needs to happen this year.
That’s a wrap for ALL-STAR’s coverage of Bivol vs. Eifert. Tune in next week as we cover not one, but two fights! (Kenneth Llover, we’re in your corner, buddy.)
The (Lone) Highlight of the Night
Bivol got the crowd roaring after he knocked down Eifert with a well-placed left hook in Round 1.
Honestly, it was all downhill from there.
Bivol Goes 25-1
The champ retains his belts via unanimous decision. Now that we know Bivol is is great shape once again, the speculations on his next box office attraction will ramp up anew.
Round 12: Bivol vs. Eifert
Shoutout to Rico Verhoeven: Eifert gets to go out on his shield in Russia. This formality of a match is now coming to a close, and still, Bivol is super calculated. Eifert looks like a guy who’s just trying to stay on his feet and not go night-night. Bivol is showing no signs of sustaining any damage. The final bell sounds, and the free boxing clinic for the young German is over. One of the commentators just said, “Let’s make Beterbiev III.” Yes, please.
Round 11: Bivol vs. Eifert
I wonder how many light heavyweight challengers will be name-dropped in Bivol’s post-fight interview. In the last minute, Bivol looks like he’s trying to finish the fight. Eifert got rocked by a nasty combination of body shots, and that Bivol left hook is looking nasty as well. This sets the stage for a potential Round 12 stoppage.
Round 10: Bivol vs. Eifert
More of the same, folks. Bivol threw jabs and body shots. Eifert looked lost out there. As expected, Bivol is having a cakewalk in this bout. He wins Round 10, of course.
Round 9: Bivol vs. Eifert
Bivol’s jab is basically snuffing all hopes of an Eifert lucky punch at this point. It’s a simple game plan: throw the jab, work the body, tire the opponent out. The crowd, I’d like to point out, is getting quite restless at the lack of explosiveness in this fight. Bivol wins the round.
Round 8: Bivol vs. Eifert
I don’t think Eifert is going to get the sympathy vote for being inactive for a long time. That’s because his opponent got back surgery less than a year ago and is looking rather sharp in this main event. More body shots from Bivol, and Eifert responds with a combination that has zero success. Look, an uppercut by Bivol! Too bad it didn’t connect. Eifert is breathing through his mouth. I think the word we’re looking for is “toying.” Bivol wins his eighth straight round.
Round 7: Bivol vs. Eifert
The commentators are speculating that Bivol will go for the kill in Round 8 or 9. We’ll see. More body shots from Bivol, who has Eifert backpedaling like a unicycle performer at halftime of the NBA Finals. There are times when Eifert goes for broke, and it looks like it’s just a matter of time before Bivol makes contact squarely with his chin.
Round 6: Bivol vs. Eifert
I wonder if Bivol is going to step on the gas in these middle rounds to put Eifert out of his misery. Bivol is working the body again, and Eifert is starting to lower his hands, putting himself in an even more vulnerable position. Let’s just call it like it is, folks: This a warmup bout for Bivol before he inks a contract to fight David Benavidez for the first time or Artur Beterbiev for a third time. Bivol wins 10-9 once again.
Round 5: Bivol vs. Eifert
Bivol’s hand speed is nice, but he continues to be very calculated in terms of the quantity he throws. He’s now taking more body shots to force that opening and perhaps set up another haymaker. Eifert is swinging wildly and missing badly. Bivol wins this round. (Duh.)
Round 4: Bivol vs. Eifert
Another uneventful round, to be honest. Bivol continues to be methodical, but it’s not exactly a spectacular sight. Eifert just can’t get through and land a flurry of significant blows. I’d give this round to Bivol for continuing to land that left hand, but I do hope the action picks up.
Round 3: Bivol vs. Eifert
Eifert continues to stay busy, looking for combinations to make Bivol second-guess himself. Bivol’s defense, though, is on point. The champ is throwing that left hook with nasty intentions; on multiple instances, Eifert has eaten a left hand as he moves forward. Not the most exciting round, I’d have to say. Bivol 10, Eifert 9.
Round 2: Bivol vs. Eifert
Credit to Eifert for continuing to move forward despite that huge blow landed by Bivol in the previous round. The timing and precision of the champ are on point; no signs of rust, really. It also looks like Bivol is looking to capitalize on the slightest mistakes committed by Eifert. Bivol’s jab continues to keep Eifert at bay. 10-9 in favor of Bivol.
Round 1: Bivol vs. Eifert
Chants of “Bivol” are ringing throughout the venue as the fight begins. Both fighters are in black trunks; Eifert went with the white gloves and the champ has the black ones. A left hand from Bivol knocks Eifert down! Two minutes into the fight, and Eifert is already looking like his out of his league. Bivol’s jab is giving the challenger a tough time. That’ll be 10-9 in favor of Bivol.
Ring Entrances Are Underway
Eifert comes out to a nice hip hop tune that, for the life of me, I can’t name right now. The German fighter comes out to an almost non-existent reaction.
Look at that: Bivol has a live band playing him to the ring! Already, the crowd inside UMMC Arena has given the champ a loud ovation.
From One Champ to Another
Earlier in the evening, current UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan met up with Dmitry Bivol in his locker room. Awesome sight to see!
The Undercard Sees a Plot Twist
Here are the results of the undercard thus far for Bivol vs. Eifert:
WBA World Super Bantamweight Eliminator
Mukhammad Shekhov def. Yerni Betancourt (UD)
WBA Gold Middleweight Title
Middleweight: Vadim Tukov def. Sebastian Papeschi (UD)
WBA Gold Super Middleweight Title
Nikita Zon def. Nahuel Gonzalo Garcia (TKO, R5)
It appears, however, that the WBA Gold Featherweight title bout between Vsevolod Shumkov and Christian Olivo is a late scratch. Bivol vs. Eifert is being promoted as “Up next!”
Bivol vs. Eifert: Tale of the Tape
Height-wise and reach-wise, Bivol and Eifert are nearly identical. It’s in the experience department that the champ has a clear-cut advantage.
