By Elliot Foster

Shannon Briggs is confident that the British public will take him into their hearts after his next fight.

The former WBO heavyweight world champion, who stopped late stand-in Emilio Ezequiel Zarate inside a round at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, will face David Haye in September.

Briggs’ clash with Haye, which has been mooted since the American came to the UK on a one-way ticket earlier this year, was confirmed after the 35-year-old continued his comeback with a two-round demolition of Arnold Gjergjaj in the bill-topping clash on the same card as ‘The Cannon’s’ 60th pro victory.

And Briggs believes he will beat Haye when they meet at the same venue on a date to be confirmed in the autumn, leaving the fight fans of these shores with no choice but to like him.

"England, I love you. I'm here to stay,” the 44-year-old stated after his victory.

“They can't get rid of me.”

He then went on to make a personal attack on ‘The Hayemaker’, saying that the former two-division global ruler wouldn’t see the final bell.

“David Haye, when I see you, I'm knocking you out cold. Let's go, champ.

“I have the most first-round knockouts in the history of heavyweight boxing. I come out breathing like a dragon. I breathe fire, champ. Look at me.”

Briggs freely admits that his career –– and life –– was spiralling out of control and has said that he came to the UK in a bid to resurrect his status in the sport and make another assault on the world stage.

"I love it here,” he said. “I love the people here. Everywhere I go, [I get] nothing but love. I've never felt anything like this in my life. I feel phenomenal.

“I came here on a one-way ticket and I went to Haye's family house, his gym and everywhere.

"I was home, fat, depressed, 400lbs, crying a lot with long, greying hair. Then I had a baby girl. I went in the mirror, cut my hair off and had no friends, money, manager and nothing but myself.

“So I started telling myself I was the champ.

"I'm going to fight until I'm 50. I'm the king of the first-round knockouts. Look at me. Look at me, people.”