The 31-year-old Sydney Olympic gold medallist wasted little time in the ring and won the one-sided contest in two minutes and nine seconds for his eighth professional win.

The 6ft 6in Harrison sent 5ft 11in Robinson sprawling to the canvas with a viscious left after a scrappy opening to the bout.

"I did exactly what I set out to do. I kept Robinson on my jab and set him up for the left cross," said Harrison, who weighs 255 pounds, compared to Robinson's 202 pounds.

"This was a stepping stone for bigger things for me."

Robinson - a 31-year-old journeyman fighter from Strafford, Vermont - had won 15 of his 19 professional contests before this fight.

But he had lost his last three fights, including a two-round defeat by the British champion Danny Williams and, most recently, a bout against a Swedish novice.

Despite criticism of facing soft opponents, Harrison insisted that he was still on course to become world champion within four years.

"Just expect me to keep going and keep learning," he said. "All those people who are trying to rush me are going to have a long wait."

Harrison is virtually unknown in the States and was described by one US paper as Canadian.

But he believes he has made the Americans take notice.

He said: "I put on a good show for them. Audley Harrison is a name they are going to get used to hearing."

Harrison entered the ring wearing St George's Cross shorts and a T-shirt adorned with a picture of his Uncle Rowland, who died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage two weeks ago.

"This fight is dedicated to him," said Harrison.

"He was a great man who encouraged me in my boxing career and I put on my best performance in his memory."

Highlights of Saturday's Harrison v Robinson fight will be shown on Sunday Grandstand at 1445 GMT on BBC Two.