With the dust still settling from Hasim Rahman’s right-cross which knocked out Lennox Lewis in South Africa on Saturday night, the former chef from Cottbus is seeking a similar route to stardom.

‘‘I have been working on my right hand in particular in training and I can guarantee Joe that I have a big surprise in store on Saturday night,’’ said Veit.

Calzaghe would do well not to follow another example of Lewis’ and take the challenge lightly.

Veit’s 30-fight record includes 18 wins by knockout albeit not in the same class as that inhabited by the home favourite, who makes the eighth defence of his crown.

Veit has waited for two years to clinch his mandatory challenge to Calzaghe and in that time has appeared on two of the Welshman’s undercards, affording him a

close-up view of the man who stands in his way this weekend.

And the German has seen enough to call his opponent the best super-middleweight in the world until Saturday night, that is.

‘‘I think Joe has proved that he is the best at his weight and that is why I am fighting him and nobody else,’’ Veit said.

And the 6ft 4ins German is certainly not short of confidence for his big night.

‘‘I think in most of his bouts he has been the bigger man with the longer reach,’’ Veit said.

‘‘It will be interesting to see how he copes when the advantages are with his opponent.’’

Veit switched trainers six months ago and says his new mentor Torsten Schmitz has helped him make big strides forward.

‘‘I have a different stance now and I throw more combinations,’’ said Veit after an impressive work-out in the atmospheric gym above the Royal Oak pub in Cardiff.

‘‘I used to throw single punches, maybe one-twos, but now it’s four, five, six.

‘‘We always train on a rounds system too, with everything three minutes and a minute’s rest, whether it’s shadow boxing, sparring or whatever.

‘‘It has given me the rhythm you need in a fight and I feel calmer and more secure as a result.’’