Klitschko retains on a cut

Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage victory over the previously unbeaten Manuel Charr.

In what may prove to be Klitschko's last fight before turning to a career in politics, the Ukrainian dominated from the opening bell before a cut above Charr's right eye forced the referee to call things off.

The challenger had not beaten anyone of note going into the match-up and the fight followed a predictable script as Klitschko stalked the ring behind a methodical jab.

Tactics that have worked for a decade were not likely to let the veteran down now, and when Charr opened up with a flurry of punches in the second Klitschko put him on his pants with a left hook.

It was a similar shot that opened up the wound a couple of dominant rounds later, although Charr was furious to have been halted so early.

"I'm disappointed I didn't manage to win the fight with a real knockout," Klitschko said. "Sadly, it was the doctor's decision. We both wanted to continue the fight."

However, the cut was gruesome enough, and the official surely made the correct call.