Eastman's ambition is to fight Roy Jones Jnr Profile: Howard Eastman

Referee Ian John-Lewis stepped in with 33 seconds of the second round remaining to hand victory to the reigning British, Commonwealth and European champion.

"We've trained very hard. I'm the best in the business and I have to give the opponent every credit for coming into the ring and fighting me," said Eastman, who defends his British title against Scott Dann next month.

"I should be fighting all the world champions. That's the level I'm on and I prove that all the time."

Rob McCracken, Eastman's trainer, added: "It wasn't the ideal situation but promoter Mick Hennessy has been on the phone to America and back and nobody wants to fight this guy.

"They won't fight him unless they are getting a fortune."

HAVE YOUR SAY The British public see less talented fighters claiming to be World Champions by holding a lightly regarded, worthless belt! From Rick S, UK Join the debate

Beardsley, ranked 21st in the UK, only agreed to go into the ring with Eastman after his re-match with Matthew Thirlwall was cancelled because Thirlwall had flu.

Earlier, Eastman's younger brother Gilbert completed the first part of the family double with a 60-55 six-round light-middleweight victory over Warley's Howard Clarke.

Nottingham prospect Carl Froch maintained his 100% professional record by stopping Armenia's Varuzhan Davtyan in the fifth of a scheduled eight-rounder.