Klitschko cautious but still wins biggest fight

LAS VEGAS -- Wladimir Klitschko wanted to win his biggest fight on his own terms, which meant not getting hit much by Jameel McCline.

That's an admirable trait for a fighter, but it doesn't win over fans who generally prefer their heavyweights to punch with the frenzy of a young Mike Tyson.

Klitschko found that out Saturday night, when he methodically disposed of a stiff McCline only to hear scattered boos from a crowd gathered for his coming out party in the United States.

The Ukrainian who some think could be boxing's next great heavyweight might have been a bit too cautious for his own good, though there was no arguing with the final result.

"It was maybe a little bit boring," Klitschko admitted. "A couple of rounds there was not much action. But this is the heavyweight division, and you have to be very careful. Sometimes one punch changes everything."

McCline hardly seemed to be a fighter who could change anything, despite coming into the ring at 6-foot-6 and a chiseled 263 pounds. He appeared intimidated from the opening bell, threw few punches and seemed content to try to go the distance.

That didn't happen after Klitschko finally opened up a bit to knock McCline down near the end of the 10th round. McCline's corner wouldn't let him come out for the 11th round -- and McCline didn't object.

Stopping McCline in 10 rounds will look good on Klitschko's record. But those at ringside Saturday sensed it could have happened a lot sooner had Klitschko pressed the issue.

Even Klitschko grudgingly agreed.

"Obviously, I can make more action," Klitschko said. "(But) I don't want to prove how hard my head is."