Former world cruiserweight champion David Haye has signed to fight Russian giant Nikolai Valuev, the reigning WBA heavyweight champion who stands some nine inches taller than the Briton and weighs almost 100 pounds heavier.

Haye announced that he had signed a contract to fight Valuev of November 7 and although no site has been announced indications are the fight will take place in Germany where the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali have been waiting to get their hands on Haye.

Haye agreed to fight the ‘Beast from the East’ according to Pat Sheehan of The Sun newspaper in Britain after becoming disillusioned with the way talks were progressing over his proposed Frankfurt date with WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in September.

Haye was originally scheduled to fight Vitali’s brother Wladimir at Gelsenkirchen in June for the IBF and WBO titles.

However, the 28 year old Haye was forced to pull out after injuring his back training.

He said: “The reality was that I would not have been in control of my own destiny for quite a long while if I had signed the contract the Klitschko management group were putting in front of me. Basically they would have been able to tell me when and who I fight for quite a while to come. ”

Haye has predicted he will knockout Valuev saying “I am thrilled to announce that my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion will be realized on November 7 when I challenge the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, Nikolai Valuev.”

The talkative Haye said he “can’t wait to step into the ring and prove that size doesn’t matter. Mark my words I will be the first man to knock Nikolai Valuev out.”

The 35 year old Valuev, a giant of a man standing over seven feet has lost only once in 50 fights and that was a points decision to Uzbekistan champion Ruslan Chagaev two years ago.

Haye’s sole defeat in 23 fights was as a cruiserweight to Carl Thompson five years ago. Valuev, a soft-spoken man considering his massive frame was clearly unimpressed by Haye’s remarks. “Its not the first time that my opponents have said things like that” said Valuev.

The WBA champion added, “Haye is a young man with a big mouth. Let him talk. It will be different in the ring. He will certainly not get my belt.”