Mahmoud Charr gained significant recognition for becoming the first German heavyweight world champion in 85 years. However, his subsequent actions surprised many boxing enthusiasts worldwide, as he didn’t step onto the ring for a title fight for a period of three years.
In contrast to other renowned heavyweight champions like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz, who embraced and defended their WBA heavyweight titles in the past decade, Charr stood out for holding the title for an extended duration without engaging in any title defenses.
Who is Mahmoud Charr?
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Mahmoud Charr transitioned to become a German professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division and ultimately winning the WBA title in 2017.
Prior to this pivotal moment, Charr’s professional journey began on a high note as he triumphed over David Vicena in his debut bout in 2005 showcasing his potential from the outset. Over the next six years, Charr’s secured victory in an impressive string of 21 fights.
The “Diamond Boy” gradually established his reputation within the boxing sphere. Notable wins against adversaries such as Marcelo Nascimento, Danny Williams, Gbenga Oluokun, and Taras Bidenko marked his rise in the sport.
However, in 2012 Vitali Klitschko handed Charr his first taste of defeat in Moscow. But the Charr demonstrated his resilience once again in his next match against Konstantin Airich.
Why did Mahmoud Charr not defend his belt for 3-years?
The pinnacle of Charr’s boxing journey came in 2017 when he achieved a monumental feat by defeating Aleksandr Ustinov and securing the WBA heavyweight title. This triumph stands as one of the most remarkable accomplishments in his nearly two-decade-long professional boxing career.
Between 2017 and 2021, Charr’s tenure as WBA heavyweight champion was marked by a lack of title defenses. His three-year span without a title defense was due to various complications. In 2020 a bout against Trevor Bryan was set but the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to its cancellation.
In the following year, as the German Knockout machine geared up for a return to boxing, visa-related issues further prolonged his wait for a fight.Ultimately in January 2021 as a result of his prolonged inactivity led to the striping of Charr’s WBA title.
In May of the same year, Charr finally reentered the boxing scene with a victory against Christopher Lovejoy. The 38-year-old boxer’s professional record currently stands at 34 wins, 4 losses, and no draws.
