Chagaev (24-1, 17 KOs) has not fought a bout since his title defence against Matt Skelton in January 2008, with two scheduled fights against Nikolai Valuev cancelled because of illness and injury. He is set to face Drumond on Saturday in the northern German port city of Rostock.

“I’m fit. I don’t think about the injuries at all anymore,” the 30-year-old Uzbekistan-born boxer said.

Valuev grabbed the WBA title by beating John Ruiz in August after Chagaev backed out. Valuev defended the title in December with a narrow win over Evander Holyfield by majority decision. Chagaev must face Valuev by 26 June.

Drumond, a Costa Rican, is 26-0 with 20 KOs.

“If I can only win here by knockout, then that’s just what I’ll do,” Drumond said.