David Haye reckons he's won the mind games with WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev ahead of their bout in Nurnberg next month.

The 'Hayemaker' (22-1, 22KO), who will challenge for the WBA heavyweight title on November 7, has attempted to wind up the giant Russian in the build-up to the fight by constantly mocking his size and personal hygiene

And a fortnight ago the outspoken 29-year-old took part in a farcical press conference which saw a man turn up dressed in a Halloween outfit seemingly pretending to be the 7ft Russian.

Valuev (50-1, 34KOs) then hit back after that latest promotional stunt, dismissing Haye as just "another idiot" while also using the phrase "'1,000 volts, but no light'" to describe him.

But Haye feels this is proof that his pre-fight game plan is working and believes an anger-fuelled Valuev will leave himself exposed to his counter-attacking punches.

"I definitely feel I've got under his skin," the former undisputed cruiserweight world champion was quoted in the Daily Mirror.

"The word coming out of his training camp in Germany is that he's really motivated.

"He's knocking all his sparring partners around and really wants to do a number on me.

"That's great because I really want him to come out at me, swinging. The more aggressive he is, the better and I will be able to go to work with my counter-punches. So, so far, so good.

"This is one up for me in the mind games. And I'm going to have something else planned for him at our press conference in Germany before the fight."

Haye admits many boxing fans doubt his chances of beating Valuev due to his inexperience at heavyweight.

"I understand where those people are coming from and they would like to see me fight more fights at heavyweight, get bashed around a bit more and knocked down," he added.

"I know I'm going into this fight with a lot of question marks hanging over me at this level, but I just want to win the title as quickly as possible."