The fight between Valuev and McCline was announced as the “hardest” in the history of world boxing (the total weight of the fighters is 270 kg). And, as it turned out, the organizers jinxed. For any athlete weighing more than one hundred kilograms, his knees have always been a vulnerable place. Valuev, for example, has already undergone several serious operations on this joint, and all the same, the danger for him to end his career ahead of schedule because of these problems is still relevant. McCline, it seems, such a fate has already befallen ...
It all started not so bad for the American. During the time that McCline spent in the ring, he did not at all look like a whipping boy. The first two rounds he managed to restrain the infrequent attacks of Valuev, maintaining a safe distance and snuggling up to the ropes. And in the third, Jamil became bolder. He got several attacks, the most spectacular of which was a series of three accurate side impacts to the head.
At the end of the round, the American decided to advance again, but along with the blow of the gong he lost his balance, fell on the floor of the ring and immediately anxiously pointed to his left knee. It became clear that the applicant was injured. But according to McCline's grimace in the first seconds (rather surprised than painful) it was hard to judge how serious the damage was. And only when the seconds unsuccessfully tried to help him get up, did it become clear that the battle would not continue and the victory would be awarded by technical knockout to Valuev.
Those who did not see the continuation had no questions regarding the battle. But what was the surprise when a few minutes after this episode, McCline, sitting in a chair in the center of the ring ... smiled. There were times when boxers, having received fractures, spent several more rounds in the ring and only the attentiveness of the judge stopped the fight. Perhaps the same reaction to such an unpleasant incident from the applicant for the championship belt, whose career was running out, was probably not expected by anyone. McCline even joked in response to questions from reporters about well-being. He grimaced, smiled again, and with such an expression on his face admitted that this was one of the most unfortunate days in his life and, apparently, the end of his career.
Guessing and thinking about the nature of such behavior can be a long time. There will also be those who suspect that McCline was simply pretending to be frightened by a painful knockout from Valuev. Or maybe it was a planned plot with the delivery of the battle by the American? But, not being carried away by vague reasoning, which can not be found evidence, let us write off everything for the reason, quite probable: the state of shock.
To analyze the performance of the Russian is hardly reasonable in view of the transience of the battle. Obviously, Valuev’s tactics provided for a knockout victory in the late rounds. And even a few missed blows from McCline did not really affect him. And the American, before falling, began to noticeably get tired.
However, such a plot, despite a successful outcome, certainly can not be called desirable for Valuev. He himself and his coach Manvel Gabrielyan admit: in order to stay on top for a long time and combine titles, you need to add. And for this there is no better tool than the experience of serious battles. ═
Andrey IVANTSOV