Dmitry Bivol Clarifies Why Artur Beterbiev Refused To Shake His Hand After The Fight

Dmitry Bivol Clarifies Why Artur Beterbiev Refused To Shake His Hand After The Fight!

Dmitry Bivol reveals why Artur Beterbiev refused to shake his hand after their fight, shedding light on the tense post-bout moment!

Dmitry Bivol Clarifies Why Artur Beterbiev Refused To Shake His Hand After The Fight

Boxing‘s light heavyweight division has always been full of intense rivalries and memorable moments. Now, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev have added their names to this storied legacy with two epic battles. Their first meeting in October 2024 saw Beterbiev hand Bivol his first loss, but the tables turned dramatically in their recent rematch at The Last Crescendo.

Dmitry Bivol got his revenge when he got the win and the undisputed light heavyweight title at The Last Crescendo. In doing so, he handed the 40 year old Beterbiev his first career loss. After the fight, it seemed tensions were high as the Chechen-Canadian fighter refused to shake the victor’s hand.

Also Read: The Last Crescendo Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 Results: Who Won The Boxing Matches Last Night?

The Post-Fight Tension Explained

What appeared to be unsportsmanlike behavior after their February 2025 rematch actually had a much different story behind it. Bivol, fresh off his majority decision victory to become the undisputed champion, revealed the truth about their post-fight interaction. He approached Beterbiev with genuine respect, acknowledging how he used to look up to him during their national team days.

The new champion even shared a touching moment about watching Beterbiev train when he was just starting out. Their initial handshake and exchange were actually quite cordial, with both men showing mutual respect.

Here’s where things get interesting. When Beterbiev declined the second handshake, it wasn’t out of spite or anger. Instead, he did it with a competitor’s spirit. He told Bivol that he wouldn’t shake his hand again because they were definitely having a third fight.

“He said, ‘Thank you for the fight as well. This is the sport, this is what happens. You are a good fighter also.’ Then we had another talk, he came, but he said, ‘I will not shake [your] hand now, because we will have a third fight.’ It was in a normal way, not arrogant.”

With the score now tied at one win apiece, both fighters have proven they belong at the top of the division. Their contrasting styles – Bivol’s technical mastery against Beterbiev’s power-punching approach – have created a modern-day classic rivalry. Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, couldn’t contain his excitement about the potential trilogy fight, comparing it to the great rivalries of the past.

The Championship Impact

The changing of the guard at light heavyweight has massive implications for the division. Dmitry Bivol’s victory makes him the first undisputed champion in Matchroom Boxing’s stable. This is a feat that even Anthony Joshua couldn’t achieve during his heavyweight reign.

The way both fighters have handled themselves, from the pre-fight build-up to the post-fight revelation, shows why boxing at its best is about more than just throwing punches. It’s about respect, legacy, and the kind of rivalry that makes fans want to see these warriors step into the ring one more time. As for that third handshake? Well, it will probably have to wait until after they settle their score once and for all!

(Image Credit: HonestCombatFan – X)

Artur Beterbiev

Dmitry Bivol

The Last Crescendo

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!