Britain's David Haye believes he will have the whole of America behind him when he bids to bring the world heavyweight title back to the western world.

Haye, 29, takes on Nikolai Valuev for the Russian's WBA belt in Nuremberg on Saturday aiming to become the first Briton since Lennox Lewis to hold one of the heavyweight titles.

Aside from the occasional spell, the belts have been dominated by eastern European fighters in recent years with the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers currently in possession of the other titles.

Therefore Haye believes the American boxing public will be desperate for him to succeed against 7ft 2in Valuev this weekend.

The Londoner told Press Association Sport: "The Americans have taken to me, they like my attitude and what I did at cruiserweight, cleaning up the division really quickly and causing a bit of excitement and hype in the heavyweights.

"And obviously I'm fighting this big, hairy Russian fellow so I know who they are going to back!

"They are going to be behind me and you're going to see something special."

Haye has vowed to produce "one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time" despite the size difference between himself and Valuev.

To do that he must beat a man who stands nearly a foot taller than him and who has never been down on the canvas in his 16-year professional career.

Haye, though, insists he wants to secure a place in history. The Englishman, who arrived in Nuremberg yesterday morning, said: "I've dreamed of the moment Valuev falls to the canvas and I truly believe it will be one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time.

"Winning any fight by knockout is a bonus, but being in a position to knock out a giant is an exciting proposition.

"Valuev has never been properly hurt before, let alone knocked down or out, and I'm now being given a chance to become the first fighter to bring 'The Beast' to his knees.

"This is my chance to make history."

Haye insists he has been taken aback by the interest in the fight.

He said: "People are talking about this fight everywhere I go. I'm being stopped in the streets and everybody - whether a boxing fan or not - seems to have an opinion on what I need to do against this giant. Old ladies are worrying for my health and wishing me luck against this big bully."

Haye added: "I love punching things and a man of Valuev's size gives me plenty of target to hit. The combination of my hand speed and Valuev's immense head is going to cause an explosion."