They meet on 30 May in Helsinki.

The two came face to face to fan the flames of a row which has seen Valuev officially crowned WBA heavyweight champion with his former conqueror Chagaev now ’champion in recess’.

Russian ’giant’ Valuev lost the belt to Chagaev via majority decision in 2007 but when the Uzbek fighter had to withdraw from the rematch twice last year through injury, he was stripped of his title.

Valuev beat John Ruiz to claim the vacant title with Chagaev being forced to settle for the more bureaucratic ’recess’ moniker.

And Chagaev said today: "I have beaten Valuev once and I will beat him again.

"I don’t understand what all that talk is about. I am the champion."

Unsurprisingly, Valuev was similarly bullish.

"I am coming to Helsinki to show that I am the real champion," he said.

"I have made a lot of key changes since the defeat two years ago. I have appointed a new head coach, Alexander Zimin. He has changed my training routine completely and has made me a much better fighter. I have improved a lot.

"I have no doubts that I will leave the ring victorious this time out."