This weekend sees gentle giant and World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev taking on the cocky, brash David Haye in a much anticipated title fight. The build up to this one has gone on for what seems like months and has been punctuated with tasteless name calling from the challenger, Haye.

The Russian, who has been treated like a freak all his boxing career and has ‘earned’ a variety of nicknames from the “Russian Giant” through the “Russian Bear” to today’s “Beast from the East”, has been ridiculed by Haye to such an extent that even in England, Haye’s home country, he must surely be losing support.

“Ugly” and “smelly” are just two such names thrown at Valuev and it is to his credit that the 36 year old hasn’t risen to the jibes. He just shrugs them off saying, “I’ve heard the same things all my life.”

Opinion is divided on who is the underdog in this fight. Valuev’s sheer size is counterbalanced by his awkward style, while Haye’s comparative lack of height and reach is made up for by his superior in-ring skills. Valuev is quietly confident while Haye is shouting his utter belief in victory from the rooftops.

It will be an interesting fight but thanks to Haye’s attitude towards Valuev Sporting Fare is firmly in the corner of the Beast from the East. This is one time we want to see Goliath triumph over David.

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