David Haye has required surgery on the Achilles injury that ultimately decided his grudge match with adversary Tony Bellew.
The sixth round of the British rivals’ London showdown saw Haye pull up in visible discomfort with a problem in his lower leg but the former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion battled through the pain barrier before his corner threw in the towel in the 11th round.
Haye went straight to hospital and, less than 24 hours later, he has undergone surgery on the career-threatening injury according to a report in the Daily Mail.
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It’s understood that Haye’s determination to fight a further five rounds with an already ruptured Achilles tendon could have added months to his recovery time, meaning that there may be no chance of seeing the rematch with Bellew that was discussed after the final bell on Saturday night.
“I’ve never been in a fight like that before, I’d love to do it again, if he wants it, he’s the man, he beat me fair and square,” Haye said after the fight
“I can’t think about world honours now, I have to go past this guy if I want to reach world level.
“It’s in his court, if the fans liked it and wanted it again, talk to his people.”
It’s believed that a heavyweight title fight opposite either WBC champion Deontay Wilder or WBO champ Joe Parker is on the cards for Bellew next while we may have genuinely seen Haye compete for the final time.
Six months off his feet would precede a lengthy rehabilitation process if ‘The Hayemaker’, who turns 37 in October, decides to lace up his gloves once more, although any comeback bout would likely not come opposite ‘Bomber’.
Bellew has made it clear that he does not intend to outstay his welcome in the squared circle, maintaining that the Haye bout would be one of his last.
“I’m edging towards the end of this crazy game,” he told the Fight Disciples podcast in the build-up to Saturday’s fight.
“Hopefully this could be my last year in the game –– more likely in the next 12 months.”
Time waits for no man. Bellew is well aware of that fact.
And given the damage sustained by Haye in defeat this weekend, it would appear that his race against Father Time may finally have come to an end.
