Valuev Wins After McCline Collapes in Three

BASEL, Switzerland — Nikolai Valuev retained the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night when American challenger James McCline collapsed in the third round after his kneecap popped out of place.

McCline took a swing at the 7-foot Russian and fell to the canvas as the knee gave out. He tried unsuccessfully to stand up several times, but collapsed each time. Ring doctors said the kneecap popped out.

"I'm disappointed. I will remember this my whole life," McCline said after his third career loss in a title fight.

Billed as the biggest title fight ever, the 6-foot-6 McCline weighed 268 pounds and the Russian 322 pounds.

The 33-year-old Valuev, 46-0 with 33 knockouts, made his third defense after winning the belt with a close decision against John Ruiz in December 2005.

The 9,000 spectators booed the abrupt end of a promising fight in which both had landed some hard blows.

"Its' very sad he had the injury. I think the spectators were waiting for a fight, one that went longer," Valuev said.

McCline also lost title shots to Wladimir Klitschko and Chris Byrd.