David Haye

The Merseysider floored Haye twice in the third round and the fight was waved off in the fifth after the 37-year-old toppled to the canvas again, with Bellew producing a second successive stoppage victory at The O2.

Haye appeared to injure his troublesome right leg, just as he did in their first fight, and will be forced to consider retirement, but Bellew can look ahead to more major fights either at heavyweight or cruiserweight.

Former cruiserweight world champion Bellew and ex-heavyweight title holder Haye had been due to renew their rivalry on December 17, only for the fight to be postponed after the latter tore his bicep in an accident on a stairwell.

Bellew claimed a stunning victory in their first meeting on March 4, defying the odds as Haye was rendered immobile by an ankle injury, leading his corner to throw in the towel in the 11th round.

The 36-year-old Briton, who has 28 wins from 31 bouts, ruptured an Achilles tendon in his defeat to underdog Tony Bellew in London in March.

The former WBA heavyweight champion, who was advised by doctors to retire after he underwent major shoulder surgery in 2013, has had long periods out of the ring without ever officially calling it a day.

"I am going to fight again before the end of the year," the Briton told reporters at a news conference to announce the first event to be put on by his new promotion company Hayemaker Ringstar.

 David Haye has defended Joseph Parker's claim to be a be a genuine world champion after meeting the Kiwi fighter in London.

Haye, a former world heavyweight champion, hosted Parker, the WBO world champion, at his state of the art London gym at the weekend.

The pair met by chance in a London street last Friday and spent four hours' together at the gym.

They had been consistently in touch through social media since early 2016 when Parker sought Haye's advice on how to beat Carlos Takam.

Haye was forced to fight on one leg after sustaining the injury in the sixth round on Saturday night and the fight was eventually stopped in the 11th when the former heavyweight champion's corner threw in the towel after he had been knocked through the ropes.

A statement from the fighter's representatives on Sunday night read: "David underwent surgery to his right Achilles this afternoon, after completely rupturing the tendon during Saturday night's fight with Tony Bellew.

The feuding heavyweights shared a last verbal exchange ahead of Saturday's fight at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and Bellew immediately addressed rumours about Haye's physical condition.

Haye was asked to dismiss reports of an Achilles injuries when he attended Wednesday's media workout and Bellew urged his rival not to bring up any fitness problems after their heavyweight clash.

WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew is competing as a heavyweight for the first time against Haye, who has also made the same transition through the two weight classes. Haye weighed a career-high 227.5lbs (16st 3lb 5oz) for his comeback against Mark de Mori a year ago before trimming off 3.5lbs against Arnold Gjergjaj in his most recent win, but Bellew wants to be even lighter.

Bellew has repeatedly made fun of Haye spending time with 'acquaintances and celebrity mates' throughout his time on America's east coast, doubting the intensity of his rival's work ethic.

"I could turn up to this fight in the worst condition I've ever been in, and still knock him out inside one round," Haye told Sky Sports News HQ about his March 4 showdown with Bellew, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

During his four-year hiatus Haye watched Joshua's earliest knockouts but never foresaw a threat to his eventual comeback.

"Not really, I didn't see it for a long time, to be honest," Haye exclusively told Sky Sports about the possibility of one day fighting Joshua.

"I was positive that I wanted to make a comeback but nothing was 100 percent certain. His progression was really steep.

"It was only when he won the British title and started knocking on the world door that I thought 'this kid could be a contender when I come back'.