Sam Peter W12 Jameel McCline... Samuel Peter retained the WBC interim title with a unanimous win over Jameel McCline at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. However, Peter (29-1, 22 KOs) was knocked down three times- once in the second round and twice in the third-- and won a fight that was much closer than most people expected. Peter defeated McCline by official scores of 113-112, 115-111 and 115-110. Boxingtalk had it 113-112 for Peter. McCline knocked Peter down with a straight right at the end of round two and two more times in the third. Peter was clearly hurt and it seemed McCline, a late replacement for Oleg Maskaev, was on the verge if a huge upset. A strong twelfth round by Peter left little doubt that he had overcome the three trips to the canvas. McCline: (38-8-3, 23 KOs), whose name turned up on a steroid lab's shipment list just two days ago, proved he can still hold his own even with the best heavyweights in the world. Still, losing his fourth heavyweight title shot was a disappointment to him. "I wasn’t happy with my performance, " said McCline afterwards. "I could’ve finished him, I should’ve finished and I didn’t. I thought I had him. He got away and that is why he is still champion. I will tell you this. Samuel Peter is a great champion.”
