BERLIN, October 20, 2009 (AFP) - Russian WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev insisted Tuesday he is unfazed by the latest comments from challenger David Haye with the pair set to clash in Nuremberg next month.

Haye has labelled the Russian 'a circus freak' ahead of their bout on November 7 in Bavaria, but the 2.13m (7ft 2in) tall giant refuses to take the brash British fighter's trash talk seriously.

"I don't really care about what he says or does," said Valuev about Haye who once famously taunted the Klitschko brothers - both heavyweight champions - by wearing a t-shirt showing an image of him holding their severed heads.

"I cannot take him seriously.

"When I first heard about the t-shirts where he chopped the Klitschkos, I thought ‘Oh my God, another idiot in our world’.

"He can say whatever he likes - it will not get him my title."

With just one defeat - against Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007 - Valuev has 50 wins and 34 KOs on his record and his promoter Kalle Sauerland also dismissed the provocation from Haye who has stepped up from cruiserweight.

"Haye's behaviour is very strange and not normal at all," he said.

"I think one German phrase sums it up well: '1,000 volts, but no light'."

The 36-year-old Valuev will soon be moving to Berlin to continue his preparation and says he is looking forward to putting Haye in his place.

"Everything has been going very well thus far," said the Russian.

"I will be in perfect shape on November 7. Let's see what Haye has to say after our meeting in the ring - I doubt it will be much."

Haye will be giving away a foot in height against Valuev with the winner in line for a unification bout against either Vladimir Klitschko IBF and WBO champion or WBC champion Vitali.

Valuev won 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 Chagaev on points, 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 after Chagaev failed to defend his title in time, before Valuev earned a majority verdict over veteran former champion Evander Holyfield last December in Zurich.