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Dmitry Bivol’s opponent’s punch statistics make unwanted history

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Michael Eifert throws a jab at Dmitry Bivol during their IBF light heavyweight title fight in Ekaterinburg, Russia, where Eifert landed a record-low 12 punches.

On Saturday evening in Russia, Dmitry Bivol defended his championship titles, but the subsequent statistics belonged to Michael Eifert.

The German challenger left Yekaterinburg with a stigma no one wants after posting what Compubox described as the lowest punch total ever recorded in a 12-round fight.

Bivol dropped Eifert in the first round before picking up a one-sided victory with WBN scoring 120-107.

By the final bell, the result had long been decided, but the numbers related to Eifert’s performance were only just beginning to attract attention.

In a fight dominated by Bivol, who made no mistakes, the consequences were more observable in his opponent’s play.

Historic low

According to Compubox, Eifert landed just 12 punches in all 12 rounds. Throughout the entire fight, he only landed six jabs and six strenuous punches, fired four body shots, and was credited with zero connections in six separate rounds.

Compubox stated: “Eifert landed only 12 total punches in the match, the lowest total in Compubox history in a 12-round fight.”

For a fighter fighting for a world title, the numbers are almost unbelievable.

Dmitry Bivol

This unwanted distinction belongs to Eifert, but Bivol deserves credit for creating the circumstances that produced it.

Returning after a 15-month absence and back surgery, the Russian controlled every aspect of the fight, starting with the first knockdown.

Eifert struggled to land his jab, rarely looked confident enough to throw combinations, and spent most of the contest reacting to Bivol rather than forcing his own fight.

Before the championship rounds, the challenger’s main goal seemed to be to hear the final bell.

Compubox added that Bivol landed 105 punches compared to Eifert’s 12, while also firing 26 body shots.

These numbers would be alarming in any fight, but in a world title fight they are almost unheard of.

Dmitry Bivol celebrates his victory over Michael Eifert after defending his light heavyweight world title in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
RCC Boxing

Problem with the ranking system?

The show also highlights a growing problem with boxing’s ranking system.

Eifert entered the fight as Bivol’s mandatory challenger, despite never defeating a true top-15 lightweight heavyweight challenger en route to his opportunity.

When a challenger lands just 12 punches in 12 rounds and delivers the lowest total ever recorded in a 12-round fight, attention inevitably turns to the process that got him there.

The problem isn’t that Eifert accepted the opportunity. Few players would turn down a chance to become world champion.

The bigger issue is whether sanctioning authorities need stricter standards before handing out mandatory positions, especially if major fights are delayed to accommodate them.

Bivol’s victory keeps him on track for a third fight with Artur Beterbiev, but Eifert’s performance may leave many wondering whether he has done enough beforehand to justify standing in the way of one of boxing’s greatest rivalries.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News

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"KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News"

Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.

Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.

Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.

New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.

“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.

“I told Keith [Connolly]I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.]you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”

Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.

He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.

In an interview with The RingBerlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.

“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”

Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agentbut it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.

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Terence Crawfords Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included

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"Terence Crawford's Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included"

Terence Crawford has cemented himself amongst boxing’s all-time greats with a number of iconic wins and title triumphs. When asked to name his own top five fighters, ‘Bud’ felt three former heavyweight champions have earned their places.

Crawford made history when he dethroned Canelo Alvarez and captured the undisputed super-middleweight world title last September, becoming the first post-war three-weight undisputed titleholder.

Soon after that generational win, the Omaha switch-hitter announced his retirement from the sport, walking away with an astonishing career that consisted of 42 victories and no defeats; considered to be one of the best boxers to have hung up the gloves with an undefeated record.

On The Real Report podcast with Tony Yayo and Uncle MurdaCrawford named only one unbeaten fighter amongst his all-time top five. Instead, the 38-year-old gave props to three former heavyweight world champions: Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr and Joe Louis.

“I got to put [Muhammad] Ali up there. I got to put Sugar Ray Robinson, I got to put Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’ve definitely got to put Floyd Mayweather in and I’ll probably put Joe Louis.”

Ali and Louis spent their entire legendary careers competing at heavyweight, while Jones Jr competed in the banner division just once, becoming the first former world middleweight champion to capture world heavyweight gold in over a century.

As for Crawford, despite announcing his decision to retire, he continues to be called out by active fighters, with Ryan Garcia becoming the latest to call for a shot at putting an end to the veteran’s unbeaten streak.

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James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut

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"James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut"

James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.

Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.

In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.

“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.

“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.

“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”

It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.

Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.

“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.

“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.

“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan]just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”

As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.

But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.

Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfithe will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.

“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.

“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”

With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.

“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”

It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

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