London's O2 Arena will again stage contest on Sunday, December 17
Friday 29 September 2017 16:45, UK
Bitter heavyweight rivals Tony Bellew and David Haye will meet again, live on Sky Sports Box Office, on December 17.
The pair go back to the O2, London, for a Sunday night spectacular after their memorable meeting back in March, when 'Bomber' shocked the boxing world with a TKO win.
Haye picked up an Achilles injury midway through the fight but, following a successful operation, the former two-weight world champion has revenge on his mind.
I will be victorious on December 17 and I will end David Haye's career. Another loss to me closes the curtain on the Hayemaker.
He somehow won the lottery in our first fight, but believe me, he won't win the lottery twice.
Bellew has given up his WBC cruiserweight title to remain in the blue riband division and knows another win over 'Hayemaker' will open even more doors.
Tony Bellew said: "I will have the exact same attitude I had going into the first fight - win at all costs. I will be victorious on December 17 and I will end David Haye's career. Another loss to me closes the curtain on the Hayemaker.
"This isn't personal anymore, it's strictly business. This is just another fight. My world has been put into perspective in the last four weeks, it's been the toughest four weeks of my family's lives and I will dedicate my victory on December 17 to my late brother-in-law.
"He [Haye] knows how the first fight went. After five rounds, I had him 3-2 up - my plan was never to start strong, as David is a front-runner. He's dangerous early but he tires quickly and he doesn't get stronger down the stretch. He's another year older, the body is more worn and he won't be able to live with a younger, fresher and more active fighter. He just can't sustain the tempo and pace once we go past three or four rounds.
"It's a very dangerous fight but I am looking forward to it. I love The O2 and I wanted the fight to be there. I call the shots this time."
Haye said: "I'm excited to give the public the rematch they truly crave, ever since the explosive first showdown earlier this year.
"On March 4, the script was thrown out the window and the unpredictability of sport revealed itself in its most raw form. Without question, 'The Bomber' showed great heart, grit and determination to weather the early storm. Credit to him, that he's willing to step back into the lion's den and do it all over again.
"He somehow won the lottery in our first fight, but believe me, he won't win the lottery twice.
"I've been training every day for over six months. I already feel fitter, stronger and more athletic than I did for our first showdown! On December 17, I will relish the opportunity to re-write the ending of the Haye-Bellew story."
Sky Sports Head of Boxing, Adam Smith, said: "It's a rematch which should provide everything - a fiery build-up, compelling action mixed with an uncertain, unpredictable outcome.
"Will Bellew be able to dig that deep a second time and prevail as an underdog again? Can Haye's body hold up, having shaken off any physical and mental scars to surely come in lighter and faster? It's the ultimate battle - repeat or revenge?
"We cannot wait to provide all the twists and turns in and out of the ring on Sky - enjoy the crazy ride!"
The rematch caps a brilliant year of boxing on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Box Office, that has included Anthony Joshua's historic Wembley Stadium win over Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather's cross-code event with Conor McGregor and the pound-for-pound battle between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev.
Joshua's latest world title defence, against teak-tough Bulgaria, Kubrat Pulev, will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office, live from the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on October 28.
After that, all eyes will be on Bellew-Haye II and you can follow another bristling build-up with plenty of support programming on our TV channels, news and interviews on Sky Sports News, skysports.com and the Sky Sports app.
