Reports that Haye has pulled out.

This is what happens when
You base your business around PPV especially when the characters are less then reliable.

The card will now no doubt be cancelled which will affect the undercard fighters.

 

Any fight can end up being cancelled.

The 1st fight did huge numbers so having a 2nd one on PPV made sense even if Haye was a liability. I cant see them trying again though. Its now happened far too often for Haye.

 

Wonder would they offer Parker big money as a replacement?

 

The only problem I see is the numbers? I'm not sure Bellew v Parker does well enough on ppv to pay Bellew and Parker the purses they would want.

 

Save the show and get James Toney in with Bellew , he's landed today and is fighting this weekend !

#Lightsout for Bellew !

 

Matchroom Press Release:

Quote
David Haye has been forced out of the rematch with Tony Bellew after tearing his bicep in training.

Haye and Bellew were set to renew hostilities again at The O2 in London on December 17 following their rollercoaster first meeting in March won by Bellew, but the two teams will now work towards a new date for the rematch early in 2018, with news on that to come this week.

“I am devastated to announce my much-anticipated rematch against Tony Bellew has been postponed until March 24 or May 5, subject to scheduling,” said Haye. “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 with no incident hundreds of times, I lost my footing, slipped, so instinctively grabbed the bannister to stop myself toppling down the stairwell, in doing so I somehow managed to damage my bicep in the process. 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, his family and his training team, as well as all 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.”

“I’m gutted that the rematch with David has been postponed, both for myself but more for the fans,” said Bellew. “I’ve had a tough camp with a lot going on in my life but was ready to repeat my win from March.

“I’ll get over this disappointment over Christmas with my family and will be straight back into camp for a new date, it’s a big disappointment but as always I leave my career in the hands of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing who will get me back in there ASAP.”

Fans who bought tickets for the event should visit their point of purchase for a refund or exchange for any new date for the fight.

 

Could take a loss on the card as a sort of investment
Bellew wins = He's a HW champ and got a few more ppvs in him to make up for it
Parker wins = raises UK profile for future AJ fight

I'm not on Twitter but has Whyte commented? He said in past hed fight Bellew

 

Parker - Bellew a week before Xmas would not draw flies to shyte. In any case, AJ wants Parker’s belt and that fight next so that’s the priority.

Card will be cancelled-
It’s a disaster for Hearn and might even see Bellew retire

 

Shame for Bellew (as much as a tit he is).

Been hard at it in camp for however many weeks and lots of time away from the family then Haye just pulls a fast one.

 

I mean, surely Hearn has a standby in place like he did for Pulev? There's no way he would have lied about Takam being in a full camp and with Haye's record he must have seen this as a possibility...

Was a **** fight anyway, hope Haye just leaves the sport as a fighter

 

Bellew had other options but went after the easier risky payday

 

There was rumours going around weeks ago that Haye was injured and couldn't fight in December. Wonder what took them so long to announce it? The whole card will no doubt be cancelled now.

 

I know Haye mentions March or May but I'm not sold on this happening again.

The promoter and the network have to be prepared that with Haye it could happen again and is it really worth the risk.

 

Why are all of you feeling sad,this fight is a money grabbing con and both have said in their statements it will happen next year such a joke fight.

 

He’s 35. Probably wanted that one last pay day before retirement. That’s why Haye came out of retirement too, for his payday. They got the golden egg once. Unfortunately they’ve got egg all over their faces now.

Both to retire.

 

Not buying the bicep injury and it's very fishy that dates have already been announced for the rescheduled bout.

Either Haye's Achilles isn't healed yet or something on the broadcasting side has gone wrong I feel.

Fury already has called out Bellew.