Tony Bellew has dismissed any suggestions that his upcoming opponent David Haye has injury worries and is steeling himself for a fiery onslaught from his fierce rival.

The rematch scheduled for December 17 in London's 02 Arena is one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year after their controversial and bloody battle at the same venue last March.

Fresh drama has been cast upon the bout with recent Twitter rumours that Haye, the former heavyweight champion, is struggling to overcome the Achilles injury that he picked up in his 11th round stoppage and defeat to the Liverpudlian.

Bellew's promoter Eddie Hearn was the first to react to those stories, and he claimed they were completely false.

However, Bellew remains nonplussed by the speculation, believing it merely a tactic to disrupt his preparations for the fight.

"I don't pay David Haye no attention," Bellew said to Sky Sports.

"I know why he's done it. He's done it to have a little go at me. He's trying to bait me to react and I'm just past caring really.

"Listen, all that matters is we get in the ring on the 17th of December and I punch his face in again."

So far the incessant and rancorous trash talking that preceded the last fight has been largely absent in the build up, and Bellew is expecting a fit and focused Haye to step into the ring, but he is confident that he will once again deal with whatever is thrown at him and emerge victorious.

"I'm just going to go in there and do my job. I expect David to be fast, vicious, dangerous, but I will see that out, I will see through that period, and then I will take over in the fight."

He is also expecting a signficantly lighter opponent, predicting Haye will be in peak condition come fight night.

"Haye will be at his best and he'll be at his lightest in about five years. He'll be his lightest since I would say he's moved up to heavyweight."