Thor Bjornsson has hinted Eddie Hall may still harbour ill-will towards him for their feud despite the pair seemingly settling it in the ring on Saturday night.
The former World's Strongest Man winners began a vicious rivalry after the 2017 competition which Hall won, with Bjornsson claiming that the Brit had cheated to get his victory. Their row got so bitter that they agreed to come to blows in a boxing match, which after years of build-up finally happened on Saturday night in Dubai.
Both men managed to floor their opponent on more than one occasion before Bjornsson was eventually named the winner on the scorecards after showing the better technique of the two over six rounds. And despite some sportsmanship immediately after the bell, the pair appear to still be rivals, and could square off in a future rematch.
"I don't want to comment on what he said, but I've moved on," Bjornsson cryptically told fans in a video blog after the bout. "I've moved on from 2017, I told him good job, it was a hell of a fight and congratulations to him for all the hard work that he's been putting on for two years now.
"I respect him as an athlete, but I just want to move on and honestly, between us, I wouldn't really want the rematch because I don't want to communicate with him even though I've moved on. I wouldn't say that we're going to be best buddies, this is a fact."
There was definite respect between the pair after they went the six-round distance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in what was Hall's boxing debut. Bjornsson had taken part in exhibitions, but had similar experience to his rival, who landed some heavy shots throughout the early stages of the fight before fading later in the contest.
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"Eddie fought well," Bjornsson continued. "It was a tough fight, he hit me with a right hook in the beginning and after the first round I felt I had the upper hand. I started to realise his game plan, understand the distance a bit more and work on my game basically, jab, jab, jab, I kept it simple but smooth, moved around and won the fight.
"I'm super happy because it's been a hell of a journey for two years, it's been hard, tough but it's been worth it 100 per cent, now I'm going to enjoy some time with my family and friends in Dubai, go to Denmark to see my daughter, enjoy some time with her with my son and wife, I'll keep everyone updated on what's next."
And he isn't opposed to taking a rematch, adding: "I'm not sure if Eddie wants a rematch, sure I'll do it, I've told him that and I've told other people that who have interviewed me that if he wants a rematch I'll do it. I'm up for it 100 per cent, he wants a rematch, I feel like he deserves it because he fought well tonight."
