By Mark Vester

A few eyebrows were raised when WBA heavyweight champion David Haye weighed in on Friday at 222-pounds, which is the heaviest of his entire career. Haye has never weighed above 217-pounds for any of his previous heavyweight bouts, including last year's title win over Nikolai Valuev. He defends the WBA title against mandatory John Ruiz on Saturday night at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Ruiz was 231-pounds - hi second-lowest weight since 2001.

Haye doesn't think his weight is an issue. Some have written that Haye focused too much on lifting weights and bulking up and his speed will suffer because of this. Hayemaker disagrees.

"I think I'm developing into a heavyweight," Haye told Sky Sports News. "I've never been one of those guys who comes over-muscly or too bulked up. I've done everything gradually and I feel fit and healthy at this weight."

Trainer Adam Booth felt the same. He doesn't see a reason for concern.

"There's not one ounce that shouldn't be there and look at the muscle definition and the look in his eyes - he is confident and he still has that mischievous glint that we always see from him," Booth said. "I am not in the least bit troubled. He might be five pounds heavier but he looks in fantastic condition."

Haye promised to put on a very impressive showing. The goal is to become the first fighter since David Tua to knock Ruiz out.

"After what happened against Valuev I definitely feel pressure to put on something special," Haye said. "I'm fighting someone my own size, so that should be easier. Everyone knows the reason I fought like that against Valuev - it was because of his sheer size. I had used to my advantages which were speed, timing and accuracy."

"It will be completely different this time around - you'll see what I can do against someone who's my own size. It will be something different to what people are used to seeing. Ruiz will be tough but the plan is still to render him unconscious. I want to make a big statement in this fight by showing how a heavyweight champion deals with John Ruiz."

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