Bellew breaks hand, Haye ruptures Achilles in British bout

Britain’s Tony Bellew, right, and his countryman David Haye exchange their punches during their heavyweight contest at the O2 Arena in London Saturday, March 4, 2017. Bellew knocked out Haye in the 11th round. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

LONDON — Tony Bellew broke his right hand in the early stages of his heavyweight victory over David Haye, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon.

Haye’s management company said the former WBA heavyweight champion required surgery on Sunday.

Haye was struggling physically before trainer Shane McGuigan threw in the towel in the 11th round of the all-British bout at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

Bellew, the WBC cruiserweight champion, said Sunday that he broke his hand in the second or third round. Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KO) was fighting his first professional bout as a heavyweight.