Nigerian Peter retains WBC interim heavyweight title

Nigeria's Samuel Peter won a unanimous decision over American Jameel McCline to retain his WBC interim heavyweight title on Saturday, despite being knocked down three times.

Peter, who was awarded the interim title when holder Oleg Maskaev of Russia pulled out of his mandatory defence against the Nigerian because of a back injury, improved to 29-1.

The 37-year-old McCline, 10 years older than Peter, dropped to 38-8-3.

"When I was knocked down I said to myself, 'no, no, no I am the champion and I have to defend the belt'," Peter said in the ring after his victory.

McCline said: "I could have finished him. I should have finished him, but I didn't. I thought I had him. He got away and that's why he's still champion."

Peter, who said he broke his left hand during training for the fight, is meant to have a mandatory bout against Maskaev, who must either fight or relinquish the crown for good.

In two other heavyweight fights on the card, Poland's Andrew Golota, 39, stopped Irishman Kevin McBride at 2:42 of the sixth round of a scheduled 12-rounder. Golota improved to 40-6-1, while the 288-pound (130.6 kg) McBride fell to 34-6-1.

Australian Kali Meehan improved to 33-3 when he stopped American DaVarryl Williamson in the sixth round with a roundhouse right to the side of the head as the bell sounded.