Given the dramatic nature of the first encounter between David Haye and Tony Bellew back in March, there will be an even greater anticipation to watch the pair clash again on December 17.

Although Bellew emerged victorious at the O2 Arena, the Achilles injury Haye picked up midway through the fight has taken some of the gloss away from the Liverpudlian's first win at heavyweight.

Nevertheless, another win for the 'Bomber' will prove a point to his doubters and could just signal the end of Haye's boxing career.

And the predictions for Haye-Bellew II are already coming in from the rest of the heavyweight division.

WBC world champion Deontay Wilder is the latest to weigh in with his verdict and despite initially expecting a draw, the 31-year-old is now backing his old sparring partner Haye to get revenge.

"The first thing that came to into my mind about this was a draw," Wilder told Sky Sports.

"But the more I think about it, David winning and setting up the trilogy? I like that!

"I think David would've won the first one if he didn't injure his Achilles because he was a handful, but then could hardly walk. Hopefully he doesn't have any injuries in this one because I had him winning in the first one and he can win the second one.

"David is always injury prone though, which is not good. I went through my own phase but always managed to fight through them and still do well."

After announcing the second clash with Bellew, Haye has insisted he is as fit as he ever has been and will be supremely confident of claiming a 29th career victory.

Meanwhile, Bellew initially targeted fights against the likes of Wilder, Joseph Parker and even Andre Ward after making his heavyweight debut but as those options gradually became less viable, a rematch vs Haye quickly emerged as his most lucrative option.

But Wilder, who is set to defend his title in November, wasn't impressed by the former WBC cruiserweight champion's first showing in his weight division.

He added: "Bellew was OK, but nothing special [against Haye].

"He should stay at cruiserweight. At the end of the day they are both cruiserweights.

"I would love to see Bellew going in against a true heavyweight though, because it's different. A different world to what he's used to."