Valuev retains WBA heavyweight title
Russia's WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev has retained his title after American challenger Jameel McCline retired owing to injury during a fight in Basel.
McCline fell to the floor at the end of the third round, forcing the contest – attended by 9,000 spectators – to be ended on medical grounds.
Saturday’s fight had been billed as the heaviest in history with the fighters weighing in at a combined 268kg.
McCline missed a swing at the 2.13-metre Russian, twisted and dislocated his kneecap and damaged knee ligaments in falling to the canvas. He tried unsuccessfully to stand, couldn’t continue, and had to be carried out on a stretcher.
“He was in terrible pain, literally screaming,” said McCline’s manager Scott Hirsch. “He thought he was fighting well – what a crazy end to a fight.”
“He is a big man and it’s very important for a 120kg-man to keep his balance, but he couldn’t,” Valuev said.
The 33-year-old Valuev, 46-0 with 33 knockouts, completed a successful third defence since winning the championship against John Ruiz in December 2005.
He is now just four victories away from beating Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 consecutive wins.
Hard left
McCline rocked Valuev with a hard left in the first round and they traded several blows, although Valuev appeared to be gaining the upper hand.
“It’s terrible the way this ended, but it could have been worse,” Valuev said. “I got used to his style – if this injury hadn’t happened, I would have knocked him out by the sixth or seventh round.”
McCline, 38-3-7 with 23 knockouts, was taken to hospital. Beforehand, his corner propped him on a stool in the ring to say a few words.
“I’m disappointed. I will remember this my whole life,” 36-year-old McCline said after his third failed title bid.
Promoter Don King managed to put a positive spin on the night’s events. “It was a great night because Nikolai punched him so hard he broke his kneecap,” King told a news conference.
The 9,000 spectators at the St Jakob’s stadium cheered for the underdog McCline but with the sudden end changed to jeering.
Valuev next faces a mandatory challenge against Ruslan Chagaev, a German-based boxer from Uzbekistan with a 22-1-0 record.
swissinfo with agencies
Four Boxing Federations with their respective heavyweight champions:
International Boxing Federation (IBF): Vladimir Klitschko (Ukraine)
World Boxing Association (WBA): Nikolai Valuev (Russia)
World Boxing Council (WBC): Oleg Makaev (Kazakhstan)
World Boxing Organisation (WBO): Shannon Briggs (US)
The fight, dubbed “One night of passion” by the organisers, took place on Saturday night in Basel’s St Jakob’s stadium.
The ticket prices ranged from SFr50 to SFr1,100 ($40 to $881) depending on the category.
Valuev is 33 years old, 2.13 metres tall and weighed 146kg. He has an unbeaten run of 46 fights (33 knockouts).
McCline, 36 years old, and 1.98 metres tall, weighed 122kg. He has notched up 38 wins (23 knockouts), 7 defeats and three draws.
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