Nikolay Valuev v Jamaican Owen Beck
Nikolay Valuev v Jamaican Owen Beck
The “Beast from the East”, the tallest and biggest heavyweight champion of all time, knocked down his opponent with a big right in the second and then again with a right uppercut in the third to bring the one-sided encounter to an early end.
The 7ft 1in, 23-stone Russian looked much improved from his last fight, a controversial points decision over American John Ruiz.
Throwing a lot of punches for a fighter his size and impressing with a variety of shots, Valuev never left the brave Jamaican with much of a chance.
“I felt a lot of pressure because it was my first defence,” Valuev stated after the fight.
“I keep improving a lot. Now I look forward to fighting in America again.”
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,” the larger-than-life King vowed after the fight.
“He will take America by storm and unify all titles.”
King was full of praise for the 32-year-old.
“He is the most improved fighter I have seen in a long time,” lauded King.
“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.”
Valuev looked impressive from the first bell on, stamping his authority on the bout early.
His jab kept Beck at bay all night, with hard-hit rights doing the usual damage. He dumped his opponent in the second and, after a second knockdown, the referee called the bout to a halt a few moments after Beck had scrambled back to his feet, bravely awaiting further punishment.
“I wanted to knock him out for friends of mine who came here to watch,” added the Beast.
