NUREMBERG, Germany (AFP) - British challenger David Haye on Tuesday admitted having a few sleeping problems ahead of his showdown with WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev here on Saturday night.

Valuev, 36, takes on Haye at the Nuremberg Arena with former cruiserweight Haye eager to claim his first world title and the Londoner has made a habit of taunting the 2.13m tall Russian in the build-up.

But Haye was quick to change hotels after arriving in the Bavarian city on Monday insisting he could not sleep in his original bed.

"When I reached German soil, I was guided towards a disgusting hotel, with a dingy room," the former cruiserweight wrote on his blog.

"After a quick call or two, we managed to depart the rancid lair with our legs and arms still intact.

"We actually ended up at a lovely five-star hotel, though we had to pay for the five-star privilege.

"Still, if it saves us from the guaranteed Black Death of the first place, it will be well worth the price."

Valuev is looking to pick up his 51st professional win with 34 knock-outs and just one defeat, to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007, on his record and Haye says he will not be fazed by the minor set-back.

"These are the sort of mind games and tactics you have to put up with when fighting abroad," he said.

"They rattle some fighters, while others refuse to ever box on foreign territory.

"The foreign promoters are always looking to give their guy any possible advantage and they'll look to screw you around left, right and centre if they think it's going to unsettle you."

Haye, 29, is 23cms shorter and nearly 40 kgs lighter than Valuev in what is a true David versus Goliath contest, but the Russian does not care if the Brit is losing sleep worrying about facing him.

"I don't care whether he can sleep or not," said Valuev.

"And I don't really care about what hotel he stays in.

"I am really looking forward to Saturday night when I will meet him in the ring and defend my title.

"I cannot wait to land a few heavy blows on him."

On Tuesday, Valuev and Haye held open workout sessions at a shopping precinct in Nuremberg.

Valuev did some light stretching and shadow boxing before Haye entered the ring with his coach having turned his pads into a special mask.

"That is Valuev," said Haye.

"This is how we have prepared for him."