Nikolai Valuev retained his WBA heavyweight boxing title when US challenger Jameel McCline injured his left knee in the third round on Saturday.
McCline missed a swing at the 2.13m 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."
PHOTO: EPA
Billed as the biggest title fight ever, the 1.98m McCline weighed 122kg and Valuev 146kg.
"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 defense since winning the championship against John Ruiz in December 2005.
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 the 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.
The 9,000 spectators cheered for the underdog McCline but with the sudden end changed to jeering.
"It was a great night because Nikolai punched him so hard he broke his kneecap," promoter Don King told the media.
"Nikolai will beat every heavyweight in the world because he has just launched the kneecap-busting punch. That was a powerful punch -- - so powerful that the human eye could not see it," King said.
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