Dmitry Bivol feels Canelo Alvarez is trying to negotiate himself out of a potential rematch.

The Russian light heavyweight titlist adamantly believes that the Mexican superstar was never truly serious about entering into a rematch because of the intransigent way he has apparently conducted negotiations thus far. Bivol defeated Alvarez last year in what was a title defense of Bivol’s WBA 175-pound belt. Since then, Alvarez has repeatedly signaled his interest in a rematch.

But last week, Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, informed ESPN that the rematch was in jeopardy because Alvarez was trying to push for the same terms as the first fight—a non-starter, in Kornilov’s opinion.  

“They don’t want a rematch,” Kornilov said. “They know that they lost very badly in the first fight and that they have less chances of winning in the second. When did you hear of a fighter who, after losing, asked for a rematch on the same terms?”

Since then, Alvarez has been linked to possible fights with WBC middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo and cruiserweight titlist Badou Jack.

In a recent interview, Bivol made it clear he believes Alvarez simply does not want the rematch.

“I think it’s not disrespectful to me, it’s just that [demanding the same terms as the first fight is] some way for him to say that ‘he didn’t agree to this fight,’” Bivol told SecondsOut.com “You know, it’s some excuses for him. It’s fine. He just wants to find some excuses for him[self]. Of course nobody says I want the same terms on the rematch. He just doesn’t want it (the fight), if he wants to say ‘I want same terms.’ You agree or no?

“I could say, you know, I want a fight with [heavyweight Anthony] Joshua and next [Tyson] Fury, but I want the fight on Mars. Let’s do it. Do you agree to fight with me on Mars?”

Kornilov then pointed out that the fact that Alvarez has fought twice since the loss to Bivol was indicative of an evidently lukewarm desire for a rematch.

“He had two other fights already,” Kornilov said of Alvarez. “Like what’s the point of the question? Do you think he wants the fight? He had two other fights already. There’s your answer.”