WBA “world” heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr’s first title protection in six years can be a street sport. Charr, who was reinstated final August after a prolonged authorized battle with the sanctioning physique, will meet former two-time title challenger Kubrat Pulev on March thirtieth in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Charr (34-4, 20 KO) defeated the extremely giant Alexander Ustinov for the secondary belt in 2017, however issues rapidly spiraled when Trevor Bryan was named his necessary challenger. A number of bait-and-switches from Don King stored Charr out of motion till 2021 and led to Charr submitting swimsuit towards King, who then screwed Charr as soon as once more and satisfied the WBA to strip him. Charr’s lawsuit expanded, the WBA grudgingly gave him his belt again and ordered him to combat Jarrell Miller, Miller elected to combat Daniel Dubois and allegedly steal again a repossessed truck as an alternative, and now right here we’re.
Pulev (30-3, 14 KO) is 1-2 in precise boxing since a 2020 loss to Anthony Joshua, beating Jerry Forrest and Andrzej Wawrzyk whereas dropping a questionable break up resolution to Derek Chisora of their rematch. The rationale I specify “precise” boxing is that he took a short detour to brutalize overcooked former UFC champion Frank Mir and was gearing as much as meet one other overcooked former UFC champion in Junior Dos Santos earlier than Triad Fight imploded.
Is that this combat in any means significant to the division? Solely within the sense that the winner will both combat for the true belt as soon as the newly topped undisputed champ vacates or be straight upgraded like Gervonta Davis was. Each are nicely previous their finest and pose no risk to the elite, although Pulev’s nonetheless expert sufficient at 42 to beat bottom-feeders.
It’s, nevertheless, very humorous.