David Haye’s heavyweight bout against Tony Bellew postponed with rematch scheduled for March or May after injury pullout
DAVID HAYE’s eagerly anticipated rematch with Tony Bellew is likely to take place in March or May after the Hayemaker pulled out with injury.
The duo were due to meet at the 02 Arena on December 17, but an arm injury picked up by the 37-year-old has pushed back the heavyweight bout.
Matchroom Boxing confirmed that fight has been postponed, much to the disappointment of fans.
They tweeted: “Confirmed: #BellewHaye2 postponed. Haye forced out of Bellew clash, camps working on new date for 2018. Full story to follow.”
SunSport reported lat week that the fight was under threat, after the Hayemaker suffered the setback in training.
He has already underwent surgery on his bicep after the freak accident during a stair conditioning session.
However Haye has firmly stated he WILL be back inside the ring to face the former WBC cruiserweight champion.
In a statement, he said: “I am devastated to announce my much-anticipated rematch against Tony Bellew has been postponed until March 24 or May 5, subject to scheduling.
“Despite the recent injury rumours, I was in perfect condition with an incredibly strong training camp, currently weighing lighter than I have for more than five years, I couldn’t wait to get back in the ring. I was ready to rewrite the ending of the Haye Bellew saga.
“Unfortunately, after a freak accident during a stair conditioning session, which I’ve done with no incident hundreds of times, I lost my footing, slipped, so instinctively grabbed the bannister to stop myself toppling down the stairwell, in doing so I somehow managed to damage my bicep in the process.
“This afternoon I underwent a procedure to repair it, this was pretty straightforward and my doctor and physiotherapist have no doubt that not only will I make a full recovery but will be able to be back in the gym to start my arm rehabilitation in two weeks.
“I would like to apologise to Tony, his family and his training team, as well as all our fans who have been left disappointed.
“I’ve been solely focussed on this fight and it’s extremely frustrating that I couldn’t finish 2017 with just my ring performance doing the talking. I look forward to getting back to training and into the ring in early 2018 with excitement and determination.”
Fans have already called for the two-weight world champion to retire from boxing, after yet another pullout in the later stages of his career.
Haye twice pulled out a mega-fight with Tyson Fury in 2013, and has been plagued by a number of injuries in the paid ranks.
Bellew has expressed his devastation that the fight has had to be postponed, as he looked to force a stoppage on Haye after knocking him out in 11th round back in March.
The Bomber said: “I’m gutted that the rematch with David has been postponed, both for myself but more for the fans.
“I’ve had a tough camp with a lot going on in my life but was ready to repeat my win from March.
“I’ll get over this disappointment over Christmas with my family and will be straight back into camp for a new date, it’s a big disappointment but as always I leave my career in the hands of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing who will get me back in there ASAP.”
