Nikolai Valuev brushes off fresh outburst from 'mouthy' rival

David Haye today warned world heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev that he will make him look silly when they fight for the giant Russian's title in Germany on Saturday.

But at their final pre-fight press conference in Nuremberg - where the two men will duel for the WBA belt in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,000 - Valuev laughed at Haye and told him that actions will speak louder than words.

That was an ominous warning from a 7ft 2ins, 23 stone mammoth of a man who has lost just one of his 51 professional bouts.

At 6ft 3ins and 16st, Haye will have to cope with massive disadvantages in height, reach and weight but refused to be intimidated today.

The 29-year-old said: "I know he feels I'm just a little mouthy man from England. But he is going to be in for a rude awakening when that first bell rings.

"I don't think he has fought anybody of my calibre, he has never fought anybody in their prime, he has never fought anybody who is so fired up, who has given up their titles to come and fight him.

"I was the undisputed world cruiserweight champion,and I reliquished those titles to move up and challenge for the world heavyweight title. But I'm just not one of those guys he is used to fighting, guys who are over the hill, guys who are tainted, guys who are past their sell-by date.

"I'm here, fresh and ready. Training has gone great and I'm going to make him look silly on Saturday night. I'm going to embarrass him and I'm going to knock him out."

Valuev, nicknamed the Beast from the East, brushed off the latest taunts. The 36-year-old said: "It is nothing unusual to hear stuff like that. And it is nothing unusual to hear that somebody would like to knock me out.

"But it is easy to speak a lot ahead of the fight. Anybody can do that. But you have to prove you can carry out your threats in the ring. On Saturday we will see what David can show us."

Haye is convinced he will back up his talk by claiming his 23rd win from 24 contests. He said: "Our game plan is to hit him as much as I can, as often as I can. It's not like he's got a small head that I can't hit. He's got plenty of it so that shouldn't be a problem.

"I've walked the walk in my previous fights, obviously 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. Expect no less this time around.

"I know how big this guy is, I know how strong he is, I know what his strengths are. He's got a very good jab, an underrated jab. I know he's going to be trying to jab my shoulder, he will be trying to jab my chest, he will be looking for his right upper-cut to my body and head.

"I know the tricks he is going to bring to the table, and I've prepared for all them.

"This is going to be about speed and power. It's one thing I've never lacked. He has never fought anyone who is as fast or who punches as hard as me, and who is as accurate as I am.

"On Saturday, you are going to see me destroy the beast."