Haye hoping for 'mega-showdown' with Vitali Klitschko

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - David Haye is hoping for a "mega-showdown" with Ukraine's WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko after stripping Russian giant Nikolai Valuev of the WBA belt.

The Briton, who overcame a colossal weight and height disadvantage to outpoint the towering "Beast from the East" in Germany on Saturday, must next fight the WBA's mandatory American challenger John Ruiz.

Klitschko, whose brother Vladimir holds the IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight belts, is scheduled to take on American Kevin Johnson in Berne, Switzerland, on Dec. 12.

"I am ready to fight anyone in the world and I have right now the same belt as Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman," Klitschko told BBC radio on Sunday.

"I am ready to show everyone that I am the strongest in the world," he added. "I am ready at any time to give him (Haye) a fight and knock him out."

Haye, who spoke of his desire to "clean up the division" after stunning the tallest and heaviest world champion of all time in Nuremberg, said he was up to the challenge.

"Let's get it on, let's make it happen," said the 29-year-old Londoner, Britain's first heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired six years ago.

"He's got a fight in December, I hope he wins his fight and wish him luck with that one. I've got to get John Ruiz out of the way and then we can make a mega-showdown next year. I'm looking forward to that."