David Haye will finally get his dream chance to become a world heavyweight champion when he meets ‘The Beast From The East’ Nikolai Valuev on November 7 in Germany.

After failing to secure a bout with the Klitschko brothers, the 28-year-old former undisputed world cruiserweight champion from Clapham will now challenge the mountain-built 7ft 2in, 23-stone Russian WBA title holder Valuev.

Valuev, 35, from St Petersburg, made a rare appearance at Battersea Town Hall on a Frank Maloney show in October 1996 and has lost just once in 47 fights during his 16-year professional career.

He lost to Ruslan Chagaev but has beaten John Ruiz, Evander Holyfield and Monte Barrett during his reign as world champion.

“I am thrilled to announce that my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion will be realised on November 7 when I challenge the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, Nikolai Valuev,” said six foot three inch Haye, who was scheduled to fight IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in June but withdrew due to a back injury.

“Valuev is eight stone heavier than me and a foot taller than me. David only needed a slingshot and a stone to flatten Goliath, and I’m convinced my right hand generates more power than a stone. He's a giant of a man and big, hairy and ugly.

“I only hope the Klitschkos still want to fight me after I have slayed The Beast.

“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.”