By Rey Danseco

Jameel McCline started slow but made a strong finish to earn a unanimous decision win over Mike Mollo at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu, China few minutes ago in the boxing show that is part of WBC’s 46th Annual Convention.

The WBC No. 21 contender McCline won the WBC heavyweight elimination when judges Brian McMahon, Takeaki Kanaya and Nicolas Hidalgo had it 114-113, 116-111 and 116-112, respectively all in favor of the 38-year old and 6-foot-6 orthodox.

Referee Roberto Ramirez deducted Mollo, whose lower part of left eye was swollen, a point early in the 12th round after committing his fourth low blow in the bout.

Mollo, lower in height by at least five inches, came into the fight as ranked No. 36 in the division that Nigeria’s Samuel Peter rules since March 8.

McCline snapped the three successive loses from big names in the division like Nikolay Valuev, Sam Peter, and John Ruiz. His record now read 39-9-3 with 23 knockouts.

Mollo, who stands 6-foot-1 and 50 pounds lighter than the 272 pounds McCline, suffered his back-to-back loss following his unanimous decision loss to Andrew Golota last Jan. 19. His record is 19-3, 12 KOs.