Haye promises knockout

David Haye insists he can knock out Nikolai Valuev after squaring up with the giant Russian at the venue of their November fight in Nuremburg.

'The Hayemaker' fights Valuev for the WBA world heavyweight title on November 7 in Nuremburg, and he had his first glimpse of the size of his task at Tuesday's press conference.

Former cruiserweight king Haye does face a huge task, with 7ft 2in Valuev the biggest heavyweight champion of all time standing in the opposite corner come fight night.

Haye was dwarfed by Valuev as the two men met in Germany, but despite that fact the 28-year-old still insists he can stop Valuev for the first time in his career.

"Now I've been eyeball to eyeball with him and seen the arena, it makes it all that much more real in my mind," said Haye.

Final touches

"It is just all about going back, putting the final touches on my preparation to become the first British world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

"I believe I can knock him out. I will take the title home with me."

Haye will be hoping to use his speed to make the difference against Valuev, and then hope his power will still make an impact on a man the size of his opponent.

"I was expecting something freaky and I got something freaky," Haye added. "His head is literally twice the size of mine. It's quite amusing looking at him, he's like a cartoon character. He really is a huge specimen."

36-year-old Valuev says he will be fully prepared for everything that Haye can throw at him in November, but will be walking away with his WBA title intact.

"Even though I have not fought for quite a while, I did not sit back and relax," said Valuev. "I only had to take this long break because Ruslan Chagaev could not fight me.

"I have started my preparations for the fight at the end of June. In the past weeks I have been preparing specially for David Haye.

"He is a strong challenger but he will not beat me. Haye will try to edge me with his speed but I am prepared for that. He will not get my belt."