Bellew vs Haye rematch rescheduled for May 5

Tony Bellew and David Haye have an official new date for their postponed heavyweight rematch, as Bellew-Haye II is officially set for May 5, 2018, at the O2 Arena in London.

Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KO) beat Haye (28-3, 26 KO) in something of an upset back in March at the same venue. In the fight, Haye suffered injuries that kept him on the shelf for a bit, but a rematch was slated for December 17.

That fell through, as Haye came up with a biceps injury that required surgery. There was some talk of Bellew instead fighting Tyson Fury at some point in early 2018, and both sides at least publicly said they were interested.

Instead, it’s the Bellew-Haye rematch getting a new date. Haye is 37 and has been pretty injury prone, so the hope, especially for Bellew, is that this date sticks and Bellew isn’t left waiting for a fight that doesn’t come again.

“I’m pleased to get a new date in the diary and I look forward to giving boxing fans a great night on May 5,” Bellew said in an official release. “To be honest, I was looking forward to a great victory in December and a relaxing family break over Christmas, but my mind is still very much on this fight, and I will punish him for that.

Bellew, 35, said he’s also still interested in that Fury showdown.

“I now have a very clear plan for 2018 and that is to knock out David Haye and then knock out Tyson ‘Stavros Flatley’ Fury and end both their careers, but first things first I need to rid the sport of David Haye on May 5 and I look forward to doing this in what I believe will be an explosive fight.”

“Whilst the first chapter of the Haye-Bellew saga didn’t go my way, fans were left on the edge of their seats throughout the thrilling 11-round battle,” Haye commented. “The rematch in May will no doubt eclipse this. Tony has boasted that the rematch gives him the opportunity to force me into retirement. Unquestionably, I step into the ring on Saturday, May 5th with both my career and legacy on the line.

“After my freak accident down a stairwell last month I was heartbroken not to give everyone the ending to 2017 I wanted. Since then, I had to accept the cards I had been dealt, remain positive and focus on factors which are within my control; rehabilitation and rescheduling the fight.”

The fight will air on Sky Box Office in the United Kingdom.