Injured Haye pulls out of heavyweight rematch with Bellew

British boxers David Haye (R) and Tony Bellew attend a press conference in London on October 4, 2017, to promote their upcoming heavyweight rematch, due to take place on December 17. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN

LONDON — David Haye has pulled out of his all-British heavyweight rematch with Tony Bellew because of injury.

Haye said he tore a bicep muscle in a “freak accident” during a conditioning session.

Haye said the fight, which was scheduled for Dec. 17, will now take place on March 24 or May 5.

Bellew stepped up a weight in March to beat Haye, a world heavyweight champion from 2009-11, in a fight that ended in the 11th round. Haye fought the last five rounds with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Haye said he has undergone a procedure and will be “back in the gym to start my arm rehabilitation in two weeks.”