So to me, David Haye has two real options in this mouthwatering match.

1: Attempting to carve out a technical fast in-and-out gameplan from start to finish (a little like Amir Khan did against Andreas Kotelnik) and hoping that he wins it wide enough to get a decision out in Germany.

Valuev: is the champion and house fighter, but is he too old?

2: Adopting a high-risk strategy to try and get rid of Nikolai Valuev in the first few rounds. That is where Haye's power will have most effect and fighters can always be caught cold when they haven't established a rhythm.

Read the first part of Adam's preview

Neither man has fought this year, so the first couple of rounds are really crucial. If Valuev is rusty, and slow then maybe that's Haye's golden opportunity.

Most of Haye's 21 knockouts in his 22 wins have come at cruiserweight, but he did halt Tomasz Bonin in one and Monte Barrett in five at heavyweight. Haye has always been able to punch, and eight victories have come within the opening three minutes.

Yet the obstacle has been almost immovable to date. I don't ever remember seeing Valuev badly dazed. He has certainly never touched down. If Haye doesn't hurt him with his heavy artillery, then what happens... will he become disheartened and gradually fall apart?

Haye was a prestigious amateur, and has been one of our most exciting professionals, but now is the acid test - and it's daunting.

In many ways, this is, though, all about David Haye. We know what Nikolai Valuev can and can't do. He has intimidating size, works the basics well, is solid, but also ponderous. He is not really a one-punch knockout artist, but often doesn't need to be.

Pressure

We are still not sure about Haye as a heavyweight. He just hasn't fought enough against tough, fringe contenders. I am glad he is not facing either of the Klitschkos: this is definitely his best chance, but he is not proven enough at the weight to be certain of anything.

It's all about his plan, and how he copes under pressure. Valuev is beatable if Haye gets it right, and fights the fight of his life.

I watched last year's Valuev-Holyfield battle the other day, and I thought the ancient Evander made Nikolai look old! It was a highly-contentious decision. Larry Donald also boxed rings around Valuev, Richard Bango gave him plenty of trouble early on, and several decisions have been tight.

Valuev might be seven-foot with a seven-stone weight advantage, but he's also seven years older. Maybe a seventh-round stoppage should be the bet! But which way?

It's so tough to advise a bet on this. It could be Haye early with speed, power and timing; or Valuev early - with Haye caught clumsily, and his chin brutally exposed.

Buzzing

A mid-late round stoppage either way also wouldn't surprise me - Valuev could overpower Haye's fading stamina. Or Haye could be chalking up the rounds by buzzing away, and a disorientated and dejected giant could be left sat on his stool, wanting no more.

Then it could go always go the whole way, with Valuev winning comfortably because of his size. Or will it be a controversial home-town decision? Then again, maybe Haye will win it wide, after giving Valuev a boxing lesson?

What on earth will really happen? Maybe the Bowe-Holyfield fan-man will come back into contention and cause another scenario!

So many knowledgable critics and fighters side with Valuev, that I am very surprised Haye's such a favourite here. It could be patriotic money, but some excellent fight pickers go with Haye. Two of the world's best trainers, who I respect enormously, Freddie Roach and Brendan Ingle, both think Haye will smash Valuev to bits.

Many just can't predict, swinging one way then the next.

When the fight was first announced, my gut feeling was that Haye can win. I still think he can, but the last few weeks have changed my opinion somewhat. It would not surprise me if Haye looks sensational, but more likely is that a super-human effort will be needed - a la Ricky Hatton-Kostya Tszyu - to conquer this massive assignment.

Haye's talked the talk, now he must walk the walk. And he might have to walk through walls. I can't wait to actually see them face up to each other in the ring. What will be going through Haye's mind then?

We often call our pre-fight piece 'The Truth'. Well this couldn't be more apt. We just won't know what the truth will be until they meet for real, around 10pm on Saturday night.

I hate sitting on the fence, I'd much rather be either right or wrong. If my house was on it, I would have to go with the proven champion, but I have a sneaky feeling our challenger might just stun us all, with a dramatic win.

I honestly don't know, and that means I just cannot wait! The one thing I will bet on is that you can't wait as well, the hairs standing on the back of your neck... seconds before that first bell for the world heavyweight title...

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