David Haye will face Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the WBA Heavyweight title. The venue has yet to be decided but it is believed the fight will take place in Germany sometime in November. Valuev who has a record of 51 fights with only one defeat is making the second defence of his title. He was previously set to defend against Ruslan Chagaev only for that contest to be cancelled the day before the fight due to Chagaev testing positive for hepetitis B. This will be Hayes first heavyweight title contest after previously being the undisputed cruiserweight world champion. The Briton Haye will be giving away a huge advantage in height and weight but is expected to start the bookies favourite.

This contest was previously cast into doubt as John Ruiz is the WBA number one contender and therefore next in line for a title shot. However an agreement has been struck between Nikolai Valuevs team and that of John Ruiz for the fight to go ahead. Valuev wanted to defend against Haye as it is a fight that will generate big public interest. Valuev has faced Ruiz on two previous occasions and those fights have been criticised in the press for being unexciting and even boring.

This fight will be Valuevs first defence since a controversial points victory over Evander Holyfield. Many boxing fans believed Holyfield was robbed against the Russian. Valuev will need to improve significantly on that performanace against Haye if he is to retain his title. Valuev struggled to handle Holyfields speed and Holyfield was able to get close and land combinations. Holyfield, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion himself has similar attrbutes to Haye in terms of height, size and speed. Holyfield was far pass his best when facing Valuev, Haye is just coming into his prime.

David Haye has not fought since a fifth round knockout of Monte Barrett last November. He is expected to start explosivevly against Valuev and will probably come out throwing big shots and combinations. Valuev will want to keep Haye on the outside with his jab, use his reach to land shots and tie his man up on the inside. Haye will be wanting to win in style and become the first man to stop the big Russian. If he can he will become the first British World champion since Lennox Lewis.

David Haye was previously scheduled to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF and WBO world titles. Haye withdrew with a back injury and was then linked with a title shot against Vitali Klitschko. Haye has commented how difficult negotiations are with the Klitschko brothers. Apparently he had to agree to a rematch with Wladimir and then a defence against Vitali if he was successful in capturing the title. With the WBA title, Haye could negotiate with either Klitschko brother from a much stronger position. The tricky matter of Nikolai Valuev stands in his way!