David Haye to fight Beast from the East

Former world cruiserweight champion Haye was forced to pull out a bout with IBO, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in June due to a back injury and rumours were rife that Vitali Klitschko, reigning WBC champion, would be his next opponent.

But Haye has now signed to face 7ft 2in Russian Valuev on November 7, probably in Germany, for the WBA belt.

And despite the size of the challenge awaiting him - Haye will give away nine inches in height when the pair meet - he is already looking towards a run of bouts that would make him the undisputed champion of the division.

"He's the biggest ever heavyweight champion, he's a giant of a man, he's big, hairy and ugly and he's going to want to put one on me," Haye told Sky Sports News.

"That is the type of challenge I relish. I saw him fight when I was 16 and couldn't believe a human being could be that big but I believe I can beat him because I'm quicker than him. It's a tall order but I believe I can bring the belt back to Britain.

"I'll have to push myself somewhere I've never been before and I'm relishing going to do something that a lot of people don't fancy me to do.

"After I've beaten Valuev I can then go back to the table with the Klitschkos as a champion not a challenger.

"I can go with parity for a unification fight. It was always my ambition to unify them and this is the best way for me to do that.

"I'm going to pick up the WBA title then go after the Klitschkos.

"I think I could beat Vitali and Wladimir and have a couple of defences in the next two-and-a-half years. It's a crazy schedule to try and go out like that but I think I can."

Despite his confidence, the self-styled 'Hayemaker' admits Valuev presents a unique test and acknowledges the challenge presented by a man who has yet to be floored or knocked out in his 16-year professional career and has lost just once in 50 fights.

"Valuev is eight stone heavier than me and a foot taller than me," Haye said.

"I'm going to have to find some freakishly tall sparring partners but it's going to be difficult.

"The likelihood is I still won't have sparred with anyone as big as him. I'll have to do some adjustments in the first couple of rounds.

"I can't try and outstrength him, that won't work, so I've got to outthink him and show him some angles he won't have seen before."

But, in typically bullish fashion, he added: "David only needed a slingshot and a stone to flatten Goliath, and I'm convinced my right hand generates more power than a stone.

"I can't wait to step into the ring on November 7 and prove that size doesn't matter. Mark my words: I will be the first man to knock Nikolai Valuev out."

Valuev remained unmoved by Haye's claims, vowing to prove his class in the bout.

"It is not the first time that my opponents have said things like that," said the 35-year-old.

"Haye is a young man with a big mouth. Let him talk. It will be different in the ring. He will certainly not get my belt."