Tony Bellew Vs. David Haye Rematch Official For December 17th

IT'S ON - Get ready for Tony Bellew vs. David Haye 2.

After months of negotiation, Bellew and Haye have finally struck a deal which will see them fight again following their thrilling encounter in March.

In an unprecedented move, the pair will rematch on SUNDAY December 17th from the iconic O2 Arena in London, England.

With the two fighters already going through 11 grueling rounds, the animosity leading up to their first fight will carry over to the rematch.

That's despite the warm embrace from Bellew in the ring, they still harbour a grudge with bad blood certainly in the air.

Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible, Haye said: "There's definitely no good blood. After the fight we paid our respects to each other, we both had a epic battle, he's said since the fight he regrets the handshake and embrace we had after the fight."

Before declaring there's 'bad blood'.

_{Bellew and Haye embrace after their first meeting. Image: PA}

Bellew absorbed Haye's 'biggest shots' though according to the 'Hayemaker', he feels he didn't test Bellew's chin with his patented right-hand.

"I don't believe I landed my best shots, no!" Haye added."That's the plan for this fight, to land my best shots."

Haye's chances of landing his trademark punches were severely hampered after he suffered a gruesome Achilles injury. He was effectively fighting with one leg, with the former world heavyweight champion bravely soldiering on before his trainer, Shane McGuigan, threw in the towel.

_{Haye hobbles back to his corner after injuring his Achilles. Images: PA}

Though his Achilles is now heeled following the best medical treatement, and the 36-year-old is confident it won't be an issue.

"The Achilles tendon has heeled very well. It's not an issue."

And ahead of the rematch, Haye plans to do a lot more sparring. When asked how much sparring he did undertake, Haye replied: "Clearly not as much as I needed to do."

While he's been heavily linked with a world title fight at heavyweight, with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker muted as potential opponents, Haye is fully focused on the task on hand.

"At the moment, I'm not targeting anything other than Bellew in the rematch."

Bellew vs. Haye 2 is set - 2017 will end with a bang. Who's everyone got? Let us know.

Topics: David Haye, Tony Bellew

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@https://twitter.com/NasJabbar