David Haye has vowed to "walk the walk" when the talking stops and the fighting starts against Nikolai Valuev on Saturday.

Londoner Haye challenges Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title in Nuremberg this weekend in just his second fight since moving up from cruiserweight.

In an attempt to hype the fight the Briton has called 7ft 2ins Valuev every name under the sun, including 'a bogeyman', 'a hairy freak' and 'a circus act' as well as bringing the champion's personal hygiene into question.

Valuev has reacted to Haye's taunts with dignity, casually dismissing the Englishman's comments, but the challenger is confident he will back up his trash talk.

"I've walked the walk in my previous fights," said Haye, who has also used a goblin mask to mock Valuev in publicity stunts.

"I've done a lot of talking along the way but I've always backed it up. I do a lot of talking but when the bell goes, I do a lot of fighting.

"I know how big and strong this guy is and what his strengths are. He's got a very good jab, I'll be looking for his right uppercut to the body and head. I know all his tricks and I'm prepared for them.

"You're going to see what it's all about on Saturday night."

Valuev, however, remains unimpressed. The champion from St Petersburg, who has a record of 50 wins and one defeat and who has never been floored, said: "It's nothing unusual to hear stuff like that and that someone would like to knock me out.

"But to speak a lot before the fight is easy and everyone can do that. You have to prove it and show what you can do in the ring.

"We'll see what you can do on Saturday. You (Haye) have a few more days to tell us what you intend to do on Saturday but then, finally, we'll see what happens."

Valuev's promoter Wilfried Sauerland has also been on the receiving end of Haye's verbal volleys - the Briton made a big show of leaving the hotel he had been booked into yesterday and accusing his hosts of playing "mind games".

However, Sauerland, like Valuev, remains unimpressed.

Asked about Haye's bullish predictions, he said: "I think we are going to see a very interesting fight on Saturday. We've heard these statements from a lot of Niko's opponents although he has been more exaggerated.

"However, afterwards at the press conference - if they could attend it because a few had to go straight to hospital - they are all very calm and very quiet. I'm sure it will be the same on Saturday."

Haye believes the focus on his pre-fight trash talk may lead to Valuev under-estimating him.

"It's going to be about speed and power which I've never lacked," he said. "He's never fought as anyone as fast or who hits as hard as me or accurate as me.

"I know he just thinks I'm a little mouthy man from England but he's going to be in for a rude awakening."