David Haye has dismissed Lennox Lewis' concerns over his bigger physique, insisting he remains as fast as ever and that his greater bulk protects him against the recurrence of injury.
The heavyweight, who on Saturday fights the little-known Arnold Gjergjaj at London's O2 Arena in the second fight of his comeback, weighed in at a career-heaviest 16st 3lbs 5oz when he defeated Mark de Mori in January, a significant increase given he remained around 15st in his prime.
Lewis told Press Association Sport he felt Haye could therefore lose the speed and mobility that was once such an asset, but the 35-year-old was insistent that was not yet the case.
"My speed feels as quick as ever, if not faster," said Haye, who plans to fight Shannon Briggs if the American veteran wins on Saturday's undercard. "If I was fighting (Anthony) Joshua, I would do the same training.
"I feel I've cracked it, me and Shane (McGuigan, my trainer), where we're getting the quality sessions done.
"What's the point of having a big punch if you can't land it?
"I'm stronger now than ever. I've done a nice solid strength programme in camp to maintain my weight.
"(And) I find being stronger minimises the chance of injury, especially with my torque and explosiveness I have within my body.
"I'm about 103 kilos now. I was about 108 a month ago, and as I've sped up, my weight has just come down.
"Whether I come in at 100 kilos or 103 kilos, I don't care. Weight is irrelevant. I was 97 kilos when I fought Nikolai Valuev. I think I was 95 when I fought (Wladimir) Klitschko, so I'm nearly a stone heavier, but I feel just as fast if not faster."
Haye had a mark under his eye from a punch taken while sparring George Groves, but he said he had worked with the younger fighter to focus on his speed, believing it will again be vital during Saturday's fight.
"I've been sparring with George for speed," he said. "I'm used to a super-middleweight's speed, so when I get in the ring it will seem like it is in slow motion.
"George is a fast super-middleweight and it was a real, good technical spar we did, slipping shots. It was a really good few rounds we did.
"It really did give me that stamp of approval and, come fight night, my timing will be as good as anything."
:: David Haye takes on Arnold 'The Cobra' Gjergjaj at The O2 on May 21. Watch #HayeDay exclusively live and free-to-air from 8pm on Dave, for tickets visit theo2.co.uk
