Tuesday 17 October 2017 18:02, UK
David Haye has warned Tony Bellew that his physical condition is 'perfect' for their rematch after recovering from an Achilles operation.
The British heavyweight rivals have agreed to another grudge fight at The O2 on December 17, live on Sky Sports Box Office, only nine months after Haye sustained a serious Achilles injury during his 11th round stoppage defeat to Bellew in March.
But the 36-year-old has dismissed any concerns about his fitness, insisting his recovery is complete after putting his body under physical strain in training.
"Pressure has been put on it and it's in perfect health, and I'm in perfect health," Haye told Sky Sports News.
I've been ticking over perfectly. I'm not going to do anything crazy. As long as I get in the ring in optimal condition, I will get a perfect performance.
"I've been ticking over perfectly. I'm not going to do anything crazy. As long as I get in the ring in optimal condition, I will get a perfect performance."
Haye remains eager to face Anthony Joshua in the future and believes the British world champion will not be unsettled by a late change of opponent after Carlos Takam replaced the injured Kubrat Pulev as his next challenger.
"I sparred with Carlos Takam in preparation for my fight with Dereck Chisora," said Haye. "It went great, I knocked Dereck Chisora out in five rounds, so the work I got from him was real good.
"He's a very tough campaigner, strong guy, but on a couple of weeks' notice - Anthony Joshua he shouldn't have too much to worry about.
"But if you had given Takam, 10, 12 weeks in the lead-up to this, he could have been a real handful.
"I don't really anticipate Takam putting too many obstacles in front of the man who is the No 1 at the moment."
