THEY call him “The Great Wall” and for now seven-foot Chinese boxer Taishan Dong is proving to be an impenetrable object to his rivals in the heavyweight division.

Dong moved his professional record to 5-0 with a devastating one-punch knockout of overmatched American Lance Gauch in California on Friday.

Giving up more than 30cm in height, Gauch did his best to avoid Dong’s bludgeoning blows for the majority of the first round before being put to sleep by a monster right hand.

He reportedly lay prone on the canvas for 10 minutes before being placed on a stretcher bed and taken to a nearby hospital.

It was another graphic illustration of the power of the 130kg giant from Gansu province. Dong moved to America last year after signing with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. The company has been strategic with his early fights but is looking to establish him as a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division and put him on the undercard of “Canelo” Alvarez’s fight against James Kirkland earlier this month.

“Mr De La Hoya wanted to open the Chinese market because he believes in me,” Dong told Fox Sports earlier this year. “He knows I can become a champ.”

Dong — who is also known as the Yao Ming of boxing — knocked out his first two opponents last year. But his two fights leading into the Gauch bout — both four rounders — went the distance so it was good to see him finish a fight early again. Regardless of how underprepared his opponent looked.

media_camera Dong is going to enjoy a height advantage every time he steps in the ring.

While you didn’t really get to see it against Gauch, Dong reportedly has impressive hand speed and athleticism for a man his size.

After initially trying his hand at basketball and kickboxing, the 27-year-old believes he has found his calling.

“Nowadays I am more patient and can overcome any challenges that arise during the fight. I will give the best of myself. I will try to understand my opponent’s strategy from the beginning and therefore defeat him,” he told Fox Sports.

“My maximum potential has not been revealed yet. That is why I train hard, in order to become a world champion.”

Originally published as Giant boxer puts rival to sleep