Valuev retains title after McCline retires hurt

Russia's WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev retained his title last weekend after American challenger Jameel McCline retired with a knee injury at the end of the third round in Basle.

The 36-year-old McCline fell to the floor after throwing a right at Valuev as the bell sounded and was unable to get back on his feet.

Doctors said McCline's kneecap had popped out, forcing the fight to be ended on medical grounds. He later left the ring on a stretcher with early diagnoses suggesting a torn patella tendon.

The fight had been billed as the heaviest in history, with the fighters weighing in at a combined 268 kg. The 2.13-metres tall Valuev, who weighs 146 kg, had looked in control, forcing McCline to fight from the ropes for long periods.

"I'm very disappointed at how it finished," Valuev said over the noise of a booing crowd. "I know all the spectators expected this fight to last a bit longer. I'm going to start preparing for my next fight right away and I want to quickly defend my title again."

The Russian's next defence is due to be a mandatory bout against Uzbekistan's Ruslan Chagaev.

McCline, mounting his third title bid after previous defeats to Ukraine's Vladimir Klitschko and American Chris Byrd, looks set to call time on his boxing career.