David Haye has never been afraid to take a risk and tomorrow he will embark on the biggest gamble of his career when he steps into the ring at the O2 Arena.

There the former undisputed cruiserweight champion will formally launch his bid to become a world heavyweight king when he takes on Monte Barrett, a veteran American who is making a career out of cutting fancied contenders down to size.

In successive fights Barrett beat the highly touted Dominick Guinn and Owen Beck, both previously undefeated in 24 contests. Then in June, the 37-year-old took just 57 seconds to topple 6ft 9ins former basketball player Tye Fields, who had previously beaten 41 of his 42 opponents.

All credit, then, to Haye, who said: "I'm pretty sure at some stage in this fight I'm going to get clipped, I'm probably going to get hurt, I might get dropped. If I walk onto the shot that this guy landed in his last fight against Fields, then I know it's lights out for me. So I'm going to have to be better than ever. I'm going to have to be fitter, faster and stronger than I was for the Enzo Maccarinelli fight and all of my fights put together."

Maccarinelli, the hard-hitting Welshman, was expected to test Haye at the O2 back in March. Instead, the 28-year-old Londoner took less than two rounds to sign off as a cruiser in style.

The question is whether Haye can retain the power that overcame Maccarinelli and 19 of his previous 20 opponents who failed to make the final bell, in boxing's blue riband division.

Haye, who regularly endured dietary torture to make the 14st 4lbs cruiserweight limit, has signalled his intention to come in around 20lbs heavier - with all the extra meat being muscle.

By comparison, Barrett bulked up to 18st 13lbs against Fields. However, Haye insists the former world title challenger - Barrett lost two chances to Hasim Rahman and Nikolay Valuev - will not present a lumbering target.

Haye said: "Barrett's just a good heavyweight, he's not one of those big, cumbersome guys. He's got some speed. I watched his fights with Guinn and Beck. He fought those guys when they were unbeaten and he showed very good durability, good punch variation and a good work-rate."

While earning widespread praise for his record, Haye's habitual posing in the ring has upset traditionalists.

Never more so than at the height of a fight, when he has a tendency to taunt his foe with a leading chin left exposed while his fists dangle beside his waist. But the 'Hayemaker' is prepared to make only the slightest concession to those urging him to adopt a more defensive stance.

He said: "Obviously, with heavyweights, you can't afford to get hit with a clean shot on the button. So if it means bringing my hands up slightly, or moving my head more, or moving my feet more, I'll do it.

"But there won't be any major adjustments in my style just because I'm fighting a guy who's a lot bigger."

That is the cue for alarm bells to sound. That controversial style led to Haye suffering his only defeat in 22 professional bouts, against Carl Thompson just over four years ago.

But if Haye can use his speed, both in hitting and in avoiding being hit, then a Wembley showdown with Vitali Klitschko next summer could come a step closer to reality.

"Just knowing that is a massive incentive for me," said Haye. "I need to go in there against Barrett and really look like I'm the future of the heavyweight division."

However, Barrett will be pumped up for the fight as he is seething over the treatment he has received in England.

At the pre-fight press conference the American criticised Hayemaker Promotions company who are staging the contest, and said: "This is about business. They've got me in a s*** hotel, they had me fly here business class, not first, and I'm a heavyweight but they give me £30 a day to eat. It costs me £22 for dinner. I'm in a 14 by 14 room."

He then fired out a warning to Haye, saying: "This fight is going to be stopped, I tell you. Somebody's going home in a body bag and it's not me. David says he'll quit boxing if I beat him, then he can work on his promotion company because right now it's s***."