David Haye Has 'Withdrawn From His Rematch' Against Tony Bellew
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Those eagerly awaiting the rematch between David Haye and Tony Bellew will have to wait a little bit longer - as Haye has been forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.
According to ESPN's Dan Rafael, sources with direct knowledge of the situation claim the highly anticipated fight at the O2 Arena is off until further notice.
The fight had been set to take place on 17 December, a re-match of the pair's clash at the O2 back in March where Bellew secured victory over Haye due to a 11th round stoppage.
Former heavyweight world titleholder David Haye (28-3, 26 KOs) has withdrawn from his rematch against Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs), whom he was supposed to face Dec. 17 at the O2 Arena in London, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN... https://t.co/O466bexAM4
- Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) November 20, 2017
Haye struggled for much of the match after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 6th round of the fight, and has since been trying to work his way back to full fighting fitness.
But according to reports, Haye has now sustained an injury to his arm which requires surgery before he can be given the all-clear to fight again.
It is understood that Haye sustained an injury to his arm while using a skipping rope during training.
The pair will now likely have to wait until the New Year before they can finally resume their sporting rivalry.
ESPN are reporting that David Haye has pulled out of the rematch with Tony Bellew on Dec 17 after suffering an arm injury which requires surgery. #Boxing
- Sheldan Keay (@SheldanKeay) November 20, 2017
The injury will no doubt be frustrating to Haye, and he is not the only fighter involved who looks to have been disappointed by the news
Bellew posted a disappointed-looking emoji on Twitter as soon as reports of Haye's injury broke.
:pensive:
- Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) November 20, 2017
This is not the first injury-related pullout for former world heavyweight champion Haye, who has faced a catalogue of setbacks in recent years.
Haye famously had to pull out of two planned showdowns with his fellow Brit boxer Tyson Fury in 2013 and 2014
The first of these came when Haye cut badly while sparring just days before the initial fight, and the second after he sustained a career-threatening shoulder injury.
Now the 37-year-old has had to pull out of another domestic clash with Bellow a month before the fight was meant to take place.
Some have called for Haye to hang up his gloves due to his long-term injury worries. Let's hope that he can pull it together for at least one last fight.
