David Haye will be the heaviest he's been when he takes on John Ruiz on Saturday.
The WBA heavyweight world champion tipped the scales at 15st 12lbs which is five pounds more than he weighed for his win over Nikolai Valuev in November.
Ruiz, fighting for a world title for the 11th time, came in almost a stone heavier at 16st 7lbs - six pounds shy of his own career high but nine heavier than the Briton - and kept his top on.
Haye entered the Great Hall in Manchester's Town Hall to a rousing reception and stripped to the waist as if to prove all the talk of excess weight is completely unfounded.
The pair then posed for the traditional face-off and although the crowd cheered as they stood inches apart, there was not a trace of bad blood between the two.
Many experts had voiced concerns around Haye's physique in this week's build-up but the WBA champion pointed out that he was also only five pounds heavier than when he made his heavyweight debut against Tomasz Bonin three years ago."I think I'm developing into a heavyweight," he 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 revealed Haye's camp have not been concerned with poundage throughout the training camp and Sky Sports' Jim Watt agreed.
He also believes Haye will back to his explosive best after an unusually subdued run-up to the fight.
"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," he said.
"I am not in the least bit troubled. He might be five pounds heavier but he looks in fantastic condition."
Source: skysports.com
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