David Haye: I'll Be Surprised if Shannon Briggs Beats Dimitrenko

As previously reported, former WBO world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs will face 6ft 7ins giant Alexander Dimitrenko at the O2 Arena in London on May 21.

The Cannon (59-6-1, 52KOs) goes up against the Russian powerhouse knowing that a victory will set-up a much anticipated fight with former world champion David Haye later this year.

Tipped as a future world champion, former European belt holder Dimitrenko (38-2, 24KOs) boasts an impressive record and will arrive in the capital undefeated in his last six bouts - his most recent in January against Bosnian Drazan Janjanin.

"I don't care if this guy is tipped for a future world title, I am going to take him down in London. I don't care if this guy is younger than me, taller than me or hits harder than me," said a defiant Briggs.

"I'm in the best shape of my life and have the experience to take this guy down. I was beating George Foreman when this guy was still learning to read. Once I've knocked him out, I'll focus on taking David Haye down in his home town.

"I'm excited to put on a show for all my fans in the UK. It will be my first time fighting in this great country and the fans really embraced me when I was here earlier this month. This fight is just the warm up. I'll finish Dimitrenko and I'll celebrate, but then I'll be back to finish the Hayemaker. He won't be able to duck me any longer. Let's go champ!"

But Dimitrenko is not impressed by Briggs' claims and has vowed to shut him up in London.

"Brigg's is a loud fool, I will do my talking in the ring and he won't know what's hit him," he said.

"The fight will see a former world champion lose in epic style to a future world champion. He is now the champ of Instagram but that's where his reign ends. Briggs is going to learn first-hand what a hard hitter I am."

'The Cannon' has been actively pursuing a fight with Haye in recent weeks and The Hayemaker has agreed in principle that, if they are both victorious on 21 May, the pair will meet in the ring later this year.

Haye, who will fight undefeated Kosovan, Arnold 'The Cobra' Gjerjaj (29-0, 21KOs), said: "I'm thrilled to say that we've got another quality fighter appearing on the Haye Day undercard. Alexander Dimitrenko is a big guy and a heavy puncher and a real challenger for a world title - I think he'll cause Briggs some serious problems.

"If the Cannon does manage to walk away victorious, I'll be surprised - but at the same time he'll have proved his worth. It just means I get to be the one to knock him out - which is even better."

Also fighting on the night is Sheikh Fahad Bin Khalid Al Thani, a member of the ruling family of Qatar. He is the country's first ever professional boxer and he will make his debut.

He joins a stellar undercard with Joe Mullender taking on Lee Markham for the English middleweight title as chief support, with a host of young Brits also in action including lightweight Floyd Moore, light-welterweight Kay Prospere, light-heavyweight Ollie Patterson and heavyweight Nick Webb all set to fight on the night.

Tickets to Haye Day at The O2 on May 21 are available on general sale now via www.theo2.co.uk