Dmitry Bivol has revealed Artur Beterbiev told him he would only shake his hand after they have had a trilogy bout, following the former's rematch victory on Saturday.
Bivol scored a majority decision win to avenge his loss in October and become undisputed light-heavyweight champion at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo.
It marked a first professional loss for Beterbiev, and as he had done throughout the build-up, the former belt holder refused to shake hands with his opponent again.
Now, Bivol has revealed that his rival has pledged to finally do so under the specific condition that they meet for a third and potentially decisive trilogy encounter.
"It's a nice feeling," he told a media pool. "I like that people came and support me, that I won and I gave them what they wanted to see. I hope the fans liked to see our fight.
"From the beginning to the end, I had to control all of it and win maximum rounds. I tried to do that. It was in our mind that [Beterbiev could start quick].
"It was the same power, the same Beterbiev, but maybe a little bit different. I came to him in the ring after the fight and told him that I respect him and would shake his hand.
"He said he would only shake my hand after the third fight. I want to rest now, heal my body and then I will weigh offers. It doesn't matter."
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