The WBA world heavyweight champion is known as the White Tyson, because he has the same stocky build as Iron Mike.

Chagaev worshiped Tyson as a kid growing up in Uzbekistan, which was then part of the Soviet Union, and stuck pictures of him up in his bedroom.

And the 29-year-old aims to match his idol’s achievements by becoming the undisputed heavyweight king of the world.

The unbeaten southpaw makes the first defence of his WBA crown against Skelton tomorrow in Dusseldorf - and he dismissed the Bedford fighter as a stepping stone to unifying the title.

"When I was child, I loved Mike Tyson," said Chagaev. "He was my idol and I was in awe of his raw power. I used to read everything I could about him and I had his pictures on my wall.

"When I started boxing, people in the gym said I had a similar body to him and that’s where my nickname came from.

"I’ve always wanted to be like him and to have the same success he had. I already have one of the belts and my goal is to unite all the versions of the heavyweight title and be the undisputed champion like Iron Mike used to be.

"That is my dream, but first I must defend my title against Skelton and I will not lose."

Chagaev claims Skelton is running scared after he failed to turn up for Monday’s head-to-head press conference, claiming he needed more time to prepare back home in England.

He added: "Skelton was afraid to come to the press conference, but that is his problem. He won’t be able to hide on Saturday and he will feel my strength then."

Chagaev will have the whole of Uzbekistan behind him, and he is the biggest thing to come out of the central Asian republic since the Silk Route.

But whereas Skelton might get a civic reception in Bedford if he wins, Chagaev will no doubt get yet another invite to the White House in Tashkent and a medal from president Islam Karimov.

Chagaev, who moved his wife Victori and son Artur to Hamburg because of unrest in Uzbekistan, has been receiving the red-carpet treatment since beating legendary Cuban Felix Savon to win gold at the 1997 World Amateur Championships.

Although he was subsequently stripped of his title when it emerged he had fought two professional bouts, that did not lessen his appeal at home and the nation celebrated his gold at the 2001 World Amateur Championships as heartily as when they won independence.

Chagaev showed his class and rock-hard chin in out-pointing ex-world champ John Ruiz, before dethroning the ’Beast from the East’ Nikolay Valuev in April to claim the WBA title.

Skelton, take note, the White Tyson admits to one weakness.

Chagaev revealed: "I failed my driving test - and trying to pass your driving test in Germany is harder than boxing!"