BBC SPORT | Boxing | Valuev faces Beck in WBA defence

Valuev faces Beck in WBA defence

Nikolay Valuev will defend his World Boxing Association title against American challenger Owen Beck in April.

The so-called 'Beast from the East' became the first Russian to win a world heavyweight contest when took the belt from US fighter John Ruiz last month.

Valuev, 32, also wants to fight Vladimir Klitschko - younger brother of former WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.

"Although Nikolay has yet to sign a contract to fight Beck, everything has been agreed," said his spokesman.

Konstantin Osipov said he expected both sides to sign a formal contract within a week.

"The fight will be held on 1 April in Hamburg," he added.

The tallest and heaviest world champion in the history of boxing, Valuev is two metres 13cm (7ft) tall and weighs 147kg (323lb).

He says he hopes to unify the heavyweight title by adding the WBC and IBF belts to his WBA crown.