Russian champion vows to knock out Haye after remarks
Nikolai Valuev's promoter believes David Haye's jibes about the world heavyweight champion are getting to the Russian.
Haye has declared he is only just getting started after branding the 7ft 2in Russian 'a circus freak' ahead of their clash in Nuremburg on November 7.
With a foot in height between them, Haye takes on the 23 stone champion - the biggest in history - in a bid to snatch the WBA title.
Despite Valuev claiming he doesn't take remarks about his height personally, his Germany-based promoter Kalle Sauerland believes the former undisputed cruiserweight champion has unsettled him.
"Niko has laughed at what Haye has been saying but he didn't like the image of Haye punching his head off a cardboard cut out of himself," said Sauerland.
Circus act
"He promised me that he's going to knock Haye out, which he doesn't normally say about opponents.
"I think Haye has got to him a little bit. I don't think he appreciates being called some of the things Haye has said.
"He has lost just once in 51 fights and fought everyone out there available, so if he is a circus act like Haye says he is, I want to go the circus."
Valuev, who steps over the ropes rather than in between them to get into the ring, turned professional aged 21 in 1993.
The 36-year-old, who is said to enjoy reading classics by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, admits he is surprised himself that he ended up as a top boxer, considering his nature.
Poetry
"Boxing is something I don't really do with a passion," said Valuev, who wrote poetry to woo his 5ft 2in wife ten years ago.
The Russian earned the WBA world title with a majority points decision over American John Ruiz in December 2005.
After three defences, Valuev suffered the only loss in his 16-year career, a defeat to Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev on points in 2007, which he blamed on the wrong strategy and has since been trained by Alexander Zimin.
A second win over Ruiz put the WBA belt back in Valuev's hands, before he earned a majority verdict over former champion Evander Holyfield last December.
Victory over Haye will enhance the chances of a world title unification clash between Valuev and one of the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers, who between them own the other versions of the world heavyweight title.