Valuev is a daunting physical specimen

Valuev, the biggest heavyweight champion in history at 7ft 1in and 23 stone, caught Beck with a right uppercut that sent him to the canvas.

Beck got to his feet but the referee stopped the fight seconds later when Valuev hit him with a flurry of blows.

Beck had already been on the deck in round two of a one-sided fight.

He will fly over the ocean like a bird Valuev's co-promotor Don King

Valuev, nicknamed the "Beast from the East", will now attempt to conquer America.

"It was an important fight for my first title defence," said Valuev. "I change my training to prepare for each opponent and we developed a good plan.

"Now I will go to conquer America."

His promoters, Don King and Germany-based Wilfried Sauerland, are trying to establish him as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" across the Atlantic.

"We will try to bring him to America as soon as possible," King vowed after the fight. "He will take America by storm and unify all titles.

"He is the most improved fighter I have seen in a long time. He has great teachers and he is a great student. He will fly over the ocean like a bird."

Sauerland revealed he had been negotiating with English promoters about a fight in London, but the plan is off in favour of a return visit to the States.

"You can be assured he will fight in America later this year," said Sauerland. "Maybe in September or October, we are trying to put it all together."