Boxing
The return of Dmitry Bivol raises doubts before the fight with Eifert
Published
2 months agoon
Bivol’s victory over Malik Zinad in Riyad last year did not reassure doubters. Zinad entered the fight with circumscribed reputation value and no major victories over proven rivals. He was seen by many as a replacement opponent rather than as the sort of challenge that would show where the champion stood.
Previously, at the end of 2023, Bivol overtook Lyndon Arthur. Arthur is a capable fighter with solid credentials, but critics viewed this result as a good career win rather than a statement against one of the division’s top fighters.
Then came two fights with Artur Beterbiev. Bivol lost the first match and officially won the rematch by majority decision, but many fans believed the second fight could have ended in a draw. This has caused more debate than certainty as to where he stands at the top of the airy heavyweight division.
Now Bivol will face Eifert after a long period out of the ring and spine surgery. By fight night, he will have been inactive for over a year. For a fighter whose style depends on footwork, balance, timing and controlled movement, inactivity may carry greater risks than for the average boxer.
None of this means that Bivol is over or has been diminished. Elite boxers have made a robust comeback after earlier layoffs. However, this return comes with more questions than multiple title defenses.
Heroes can only live on their reputation for so long. On May 30, Bivol has a chance to prove that, at his level, he can still perform in the present tense, not the past tense.
Still, the 16-month break poses a huge obstacle for Bivol. When he enters the ring in Yekaterinburg on May 30, he will not be circumscribed only by inactivity, but by the physical reality of spine surgery. A herniated disc for a movement-based fighter like Bivol is a different beast than for a stationary slugger.
If these lateral movements, or the characteristic spring in his step, are reduced by even 10%, Bivol’s version of the “elite technician” could become a thing of the past.
It can be said that his resume is largely based on his victory over Zurdo Ramirez in 2022. Since then, the trajectory has been unclear.
Although he received the majority decision in February 2025, it did not exactly end the case. As I noted, many saw Beterbiev draw or narrowly win.
Victories over Malik Zinad and Lyndon Arthur kept the belts balmy, but didn’t provide the drag needed to prove he was still the pound-for-pound threat he was when dismantling Canelo.
Turning 36 is the established drop off a cliff into lighter, speed-dependent weights. Even in the airy heavyweight division, reflexes are usually the first thing to look at.
Michael Eifert is an engaging choice to return. On the one hand, he’s an IBF must-see, so Bivol has to fight him to keep the hardware. Then again, his only real claim to fame is his 2023 decision on the very faded Jean Pascal. He is younger (28) and fresh, but he hasn’t shown the world-class equipment that would normally cause problems for Bivol.
If Bivol fights Eifert or looks sluggish, the talented narrative surrounding the Beterbiev fight will only become louder. Fans are looking for the 2022 version of Bivol, but after repairing his back and four years of aging since his last dominant win against an elite name, we may be looking at a champion fighting on borrowed time.
You may like
Boxing
Devin Haney says Gervonta Davis’ team has made contact and declines to discuss the hydration clause
Published
42 minutes agoon
June 22, 2026
Devin Haney says that after years of calls for a fight, a fight with Gervonta Davis may finally be closer to reality.
Haney revealed on social media that Tank Davis’ team recently reached out about a potential fight. When the fan responded by warning him not to agree to any hydration restrictions, Haney quickly dismissed the idea.
“Never,” Haney repeated X about not wanting to agree to the rehydration clause.
The response came shortly after Haney suggested that discussions had begun between the two sides.
“I think Gervonta has gained some balls. His team has reached! We can just fight! 😅– Haney wrote.
The fight between Haney and Gervonta is one of the longest unanswered questions in boxing. Haney continued to fight multiple times during his lightweight title fight, but the fight never materialized despite years of public calls and fan demands.
San Francisco-born Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion in 2022, and Davis continued to build his profile as one of boxing’s biggest pay-per-view attractions.
Haney’s rejection of rehydration clauses will likely become a talking point if negotiations move forward. Hydration restrictions became a major topic of debate ahead of Tank’s 2023 fight with Ryan Garcia, with many fans criticizing the terms of the deal.
Devin has recently been linked to potential fights against Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson and Keyshawn Davis. His latest comments put Gervonta Davis back into the conversation after years of failed attempts to make the fight happen.
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last updated: 22/06/2026 at 17:07
Boxing
Promoter Naoyi Inoue Confirms Target Opponent and Schedule: ‘I’m Sure You Can Guess’
Published
3 hours agoon
June 22, 2026
Last month Inoue defeated fellow Japanese star Nakatani, in the biggest fight in the history of Japanese boxing and one of the most anticipated fights on the 2026 boxing calendar.
Od tego czasu uwaga skupiła się na Jesse’m Rodriguezie, który w momencie niedawnego zwycięstwa Inoue był posiadaczem trzech tytułów mistrza świata w wadze super muszej. “Bam” vacated the belts and secured the WBA bantamweight world title after a knockout victory over Antonio Vargas. Trener Amerykanina, Robert Garcia, zasugerował, że stoczą jeszcze jedną walkę w tej wadze, zanim ponownie przejdą do walki i rzucą wyzwanie Inoue.
I’m talking to Yahoo Japan
Author: Sean Crose
On Saturday night, Oscar Colazzo decided to move up to the flyweight division. His hard-won world title wasn’t on the line because he was moving to a up-to-date division, but the stakes were still high for the popular Puerto Rican fighter. Things started badly before Collazo slipped between the ropes. For Neider Valdez, Saturday’s opponent, Collazo replaced him at the last minute. Collazo’s scheduled opponent in the 10-round bout, Joey Canoy, had visa issues and, as a result, Collazo later had to jump to a different weight class. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but both Colazzo and Valdez realized the players were struggling.
Bantamweight champion Colazzo threw himself with a southpaw in the first. Valdez, however, was not overwhelmed by the world champion, his own dedication and landing. Palazzo’s impressive left shot knocked out Valdez early in the second. With that said, the man was able to quickly get back on his feet to hit the mat once again. Another series of shots knocked down Valdez for the third time. Once again he was able to get up, but his corner thought better of it and stopped the fight.
The cut low of the fight was simply a demonstration of the difference between the champion and his last-minute successor. Valdez deserved credit for showing up and giving his all, but he was wildly classless. One wondered if he would even be able to represent an airline division. The DAZN broadcast team seemed dissatisfied with Valdez’s behavior, feeling that Valdez pulled out of the fight early. That may or may not have been true, but either way it was solid to imagine Valdez having a good night to himself.
“I feel great,” Collazo said later. He had a good reason for this. He successfully won his flyweight debut in less than three rounds. “I’m ready to make history,” Collazo added. “He’s the biggest little man in the boxing world today,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
There was no doubt that Colazzo looked excellent, but the quality of his opposition was so impoverished that you have to wonder how Colazzo would have fared against stronger competition in the league. Make no mistake, Valdez was a replacement opponent who wasn’t expected to have much of a chance at first. Of course, there was a chance for him to shock the world. But he just couldn’t defy expectations in such an obvious way.
There is no doubt that Colazzo is an excellent fighter. He is aggressive, hits solid and exudes confidence. It’s not effortless for anyone. Indeed, he may be one of the more hard fighters to beat in boxing right now. Oscar De La Hoya certainly had plans for him, and after Saturday’s performance, it’s effortless to see why. If he continues playing at this pace, he will have a brilliant future ahead of him.
Smaller fighters like Colazzo don’t always get a lot of love from boxing fans, but there’s a lot to like in the smaller divisions. Those who fight at featherweight have an incredible skill set and very keen and correct striking. The pace at lower weights is speedy, and the players themselves show a lot of fortitude. Fighters like Michael Carbajal and even Manny Pacquiao have helped erase the image of the little fighter that no one wants to see. Indeed, smaller weight divisions can be seen significantly on television. Perhaps that’s why De La Hoya has so much faith in Collazo.
🔥 Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall • WEIGH-IN & FINAL FACE OFF
“F***ING DELUDED! HE QUIT!” Filip Hrgovic SLAMS Dave Allen Over Prediction For Moses Itauma Clash
Devin Haney says Gervonta Davis’ team has made contact and declines to discuss the hydration clause
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



