On February 9, at a boxing evening organized in Laval, Canada, a qualifying fight for the IBF light heavyweight title between Jean Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs) and Michael Eifert (11-1, 4 KOs).
A tender was scheduled for November 1 to select the organizer of the fight, but the representatives of the boxers managed to agree before this date. The IBF world champion in the 79 kg category is Artur Beterbiev, who will return to the ring in January against Anthony Yarde.
Previously, Pascal and Joshua Buatsy were appointed participants in the International Boxing Federation's eliminator. Ultimately, the Briton withdrew from this fight due to disagreements over anti-doping tests.