HAMBURG, Germany, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - The re-match between Russian giant Nikolai Valuev and WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev - who beat the towering Valuev for the only time in his career - will take place on May 31.

The 145kg Valuev - who is more than two metres tall - lost the WBA title to Chagaev in April 2007 on a majority points decision in the only defeat of his career and the pair will meet again in Oberhausen at the end of next month.

Since the fight, Uzbekistani Chagaev has been blighted by health problems and has defended his title just once against British fighter Matt Skelton in January. He has an unblemished record of 24 wins with 17 knock-outs.

In contrast, Valuev has changed his coach since his defeat and won two fights to become the WBA's number-one challenger.

He has 48 wins to his credit - 34 of those by knock-out and only one defeat.