Vitali Klitschko defeats Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision

Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title on Saturday night with a unanimous decision over American contender Kevin Johnson on Bern, Switzerland.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian kept Johnson against the ropes for much of the fight but landed few heavy shots to hurt the 30-year-old challenger. Johnson proved a durable opponent and did his best work with counterattacking straight left jabs.

Klitschko (39-2) was making his third defense of the belt he reclaimed in October last year, following a four-year break to recover from injuries.

He opted to take the fight just 11 weeks after beating Cris Arreola, another unbeaten American who did not come out for the 11th round of their bout in Los Angeles.

Johnson (22-1-1) was the WBC’s sixth-ranked contender, though few expected him to give the bigger Klitschko many problems.

Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said that a $25-million guarantee from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to stage the scheduled Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight at his stadium in Arlington, Texas, probably will increase.

A source involved in the site talks told The Times that the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has the potential to generate $28 million in live-gate sales, while MGM/Mirage properties will offer 40,000 closed-circuit seats, charging $100 a head for a possible $4-million surplus, making a Vegas site worth a possible $32 million.

Arum has said the fight will be held only in a state with generous tax laws, ruling out California.

-- Lance Pugmire

Paul Malignaggi beat Juan Diaz by unanimous decision in Chicago, in a clear outcome after a controversial fight in August between the two junior-welterweights.

The 29-year-old Malignaggi came out more aggressive than usual and consistently landed his jab while Diaz waited to counter.

The Brooklyn-based fighter always seemed to have the fight under control, even when Diaz managed to steal a few rounds with quick flurries.

All three judges scored it 116-111 for Malignaggi, who improved to 27-3.

BJ Penn retained his UFC lightweight championship with a fifth-round TKO of Diego Sanchez in the main event of UFC 107 in Memphis, Tenn.

Referee Herb Dean, with the advice of the ringside doctor, stopped the fight at 2:37 of the round after a Penn kick caught Sanchez, opening a gaping gash above the challenger’s left eye.

GOLF

Wie comes up short, Kim claims victory

Michelle Wie’s late charge fell short at the Dubai Ladies Masters and In-Kyung Kim of South Korea claimed a three-shot victory at the season-ending tournament for her first European Tour title.

Wie shot a seven-under-par 65, tied for the day’s best round, but the 13th-ranked Kim responded to the pressure with a four-under 68 that left her at 18-under 270. Maria Hjorth of Sweden was third at 274 after a 68.

Wie could have made Kim sweat on No. 18, but her attempt to reach the green in two failed when her ball rolled back into a water hazard.

WINTER SPORTS

Canada defeats U.S. in women’s hockey

Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette scored 58 seconds apart in the second period, helping Canada to a 4-2 victory over the United States in a women’s hockey exhibition match in Denver ahead of the Vancouver Games.

Gina Kingsbury and Meghan Agosta also scored for the Canadians, and Kim St. Pierre stopped 27 shots. Karen Thatcher and Hilary Knight had third-period goals for the Americans, who have lost four of the last five to their top rival.

Olympic gold medalists Shaun White and Kelly Clark have won the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, giving them victories at Copper Mountain, Colo., in the first halfpipe qualifying event for the Vancouver Games.

Tessa Worley of France secured her second World Cup victory by winning the women’s giant slalom in Are, Sweden. Overall World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn skied out in the first leg, while her closest challenger, Maria Riesch of Germany, went out in similar fashion in the second.

MOTOR RACING

Schumacher said to be returning to F1

German daily Bild reports seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher will come out of retirement to drive for Mercedes next year.

A report in Saturday’s edition of the newspaper says the two parties have agreed to a one-year contract and will announce the deal next week.