Bivol has three mandatory challengers waiting for his remaining titles. He gave up his WBC when he had David Benavidez because the mandatory for that belt. It’s comprehensible why Bivol selected to present up the title. That will have been a tough fight for him.
Bivol’s three mandatorys
- Michael Eifert – IBF
- David Benavidez – WBA
- Callum Smith – WBO
The WBO situation remains to be in flux, as interim champion Smith has a defense ordered against David Morrell next. The winner of that fight might be the WBO mandatory.
Why a Mandatory Makes Sense for the Return
IBF mandatory, Michael Eifert, hasn’t beaten any notable opposition during his seven-year pro profession, for him to get within the position as Bivol’s mandatory. If that’s Bivol’s next fight in mandatory, it could be like a tune-up-level fight.
On condition that Dmitry might be getting back from back surgery and a 13-month layoff, Eifert could be a super fit to ease his return. It could be riskier if Bivol got here off the layoff and fought Artur Beterbiev of their trilogy.
“The primary fight back could also be a smaller fight than [the Artur Beterbiev trilogy], perhaps certainly one of his mandatory defenses,” said promoter Eddie Hearn about Dmitry Bivol’s next fight in 2026.
Bivol can’t afford to relinquish any more titles, as they’re what validate him now. Many fans view David Benavidez as the highest fighter within the division. Nonetheless, Bivol holds all those titles, and that provides him credibility.
“He’s got quite just a few of them. One is Callum Smith, one is Michael Eifert, WBA I feel has a compulsory as well. He would’ve been out of the ring — he won’t fight before March — so he would’ve been out of the ring for a yr and would’ve had a few operations,” said Hearn.
Hearn promotes Callum Smith, but he can’t push for him to be next for Bivol until after he faces David Morrell.