“I have been waiting for a long time, now the IBF has given Bivol a clear time,” said Eifert. “I used that time to improve in the gym.”
Bivol is a strong technician. He puts his foot out, puts it back behind the fork, and punishes the square with the racks directly under the pipe.
“Bivol has long been a legend of the game,” Eifert said. “But that’s what motivates me. This is my chance for the best. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this day. I know I can take him down. Let’s do it, Dmitry!”
Bivol’s best work comes when opponents try to force trades. He slides half a step back from the front foot, takes a straight leg, then pivots off the rope. Eifert should crowd him without opening the lanes. This means that the weight of the discipline, the installation mark, and the work of the body survives the sale.
Wanted to Launch the Battle in Germany
Promoter Benedikt Poelchau says the opportunity is big for Eifert. “Michael is in the best shape. This is a big fight for German boxing. No other German fighter has participated in a fight like this. Michael is in the form of his life.” Poelchau said. “We are ready to do this fight in Germany.”
Pascal’s equation is repeated because all the fighters beat him. That tells you nothing. Eifert’s version of Pascal in 2023 was slower, less dangerous coming forward from the jab. Bivol fought him in 2018 as Canada continues to time and can still slide punches on the shoulders. Various systems. Various problems.
What Eifert showed in that fight was patience and overall play. He sat behind the fork, stepped to the left when Pascal loaded the right hand, and made him work for the books. Those habits travel. Whether they live up to Bivol’s adjustments is the real question.
Bivol doesn’t chase knocks. He closes the gaps. Those who come heavily face the way out at the top through the guard. The Russian works in small groups, making traps with feints, and over twelve rounds the groups become gaps.
Eifert works from an orthodox-southpaw dynamic where he has to have his outside leg. It gets him right down the middle. The issue is that Bivol adjusts his position better than most and he knows how to shake the back hand before he leaves. He also doubles his jab to disrupt timing, then comes in on top with a right hand when the southpaw tries to circle to the left.
Eifert has power to the right left. He also has youth and reach. It also doesn’t change the picture if he can’t control the body quickly enough or move the body to slow down Bivol’s steady movement. The Russian only speeds up when the other man slows down.
Sometimes the underdog gets a crack at defense. More often than not, you see why champions last and why professional fighters age better than punches.