DAVID HAYE’S December rematch with Tony Bellew is off after the Bermondesy fighter suffered a torn bicep in a “freak accident” in training.
The pair were due to meet on December 17 at the O2 Arena where Haye hoped to avenge his defeat to Liverpool’s Bellew in March. Haye had surgery on the injury last week and insisted he would make a “full recovery”.
“After a freak accident during a stair conditioning session, which I’ve done with no incident hundreds of times, I lost my footing and slipped,” Haye explained. “I instinctively grabbed bathenister to stop myself toppling down the stairwell.
In doing so I somehow managed to damage my biceps. “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.” Bellew added: “It’s heartbreaking, it’s devastating.
I had enough going on in my personal life that I’ve kept away from the public as it was. “So to then get the phone call that David was out was just a shattering blow.”
There is a provisional agreement for the fight to take place on March 24 or May 5 next year.
