David Haye: After The Beast, it's nice to face a human being!

You go nose-to-nose and stare hard, careful to pick up the slightest insecurity or doubt.

Today, at the pre-fight press conference, I was set to go head-to-head with John Ruiz for the first time. But the American isn't the kind of fighter to give too much away. He's dull, straight-faced and emotionless.

When we face each other, what will become obvious is that he is a lot smaller than 'The Beast' - Nikolai Valuev - who I beat for the world title last November.

Ruiz is certainly no match for Valuev in the height or weight stakes. This time I've been given an opponent standing at around 6ft 2ins and scaling a mere 16st. It feels like I'm fighting a human being, as opposed to something captured from a Russian cave.

I've already seen enough to know what type of man Ruiz is. He isn't one to bad mouth a rival, toss over tables at the press conference or go for my throat during the staredown.

Ruiz (right) is a master in the simple things. He loves nothing more than training and fighting.

This personality also transfers into the ring on fight night. Ruiz doesn't bother with flashy combinations or showboating. He's just a solid, seasoned veteran with effective but basic skills.

Despite this, the word is that, at 38, Ruiz has somehow changed his style. I welcome any change in style he might have had. Ruiz's boxing style was never pretty at the best of times and I'd be happy to stand and punch with him, as opposed to just stand and hug.

I want to knock out the greatest version of Ruiz. If he says he's never felt better, that's excellent. I don't want to feast on a 'shot' Ruiz. I want to beat a genuine heavyweight contender, which is exactly what I feel Ruiz is.

I've shown in recent fights that I also possess the ability to alter my style. I like to keep my opponents on their toes and not allow them to predict what they will see on fight night.

The only guarantee I have in this fight is to my fans - the Hayemaker will remain WBA heavyweight champion of the world.

* David Haye's title defence takes place on Saturday in Manchester (Sky Box Office).