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Adam Davy
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Tony Bellew-David Haye rematch postponed until March or May due to 'freak accident'

It’s understood Bellew and Haye will now meet in the new year.

LAST UPDATE | Nov 20th 2017, 5:05 PM

TONY BELLEW’S HEAVYWEIGHT rematch with David Haye has been postponed due to an injury suffered by the latter.

The Liverpudlian and Londoner originally clashed at the O2 Arena back in March, with Bellew securing a shock 11th-round stoppage thanks in large part to Haye having ruptured his achilles tendon.

Their rematch, which was scheduled to take place in the same arena eight days before Christmas, is now off after Haye injured his bicep during a stair conditioning session.

Earlier this month it was suggested that Haye, who twice pulled out of fights with Tyson Fury, would be forced to do so from his shot at redemption versus Bellew having picked up a knock, but the former WBA World heavyweight champion would later insist he was fully fit to fight on 17 December.

In a statement, Haye confirmed his current injury was completely unrelated to those rumours, and apologised to both Bellew and both fighters’ fans, while confirming their rematch will now take place in either March or May.

“I am devastated to announce my much-anticipated Rematch against Tony Bellew has been postponed until March 24th or May 5th 2018, subject to scheduling,” Haye wrote. “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 hundreds of times before, I lost my footing, slipped and instinctively grabbed the bannister to stop myself falling down the stairwell and in doing so managed to damage my bicep.

Haye continued: “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, and all of Team Bellew, as well as 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.”

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