BERLIN: Just two years after being shot, Manuel Charr has ended Germany’s 85-year wait for a world heavyweight champion and dedicated his victory over Alexander Ustinov to his adopted home country.
“What can I say, Germany — we are world champions,” Charr roared after his unanimous decision victory in Oberhausen landed him the vacant WBA world title.
“I dedicate this title to Germany, the country which gave me a chance and built me up.
“This is my gift to you all.”
Charr is Germany’s first world heavyweight champion since Max Schmeling reigned from 1930-1932.
On Saturday, Charr was the clear winner after bringing Ustinov to his knees in the eighth round and the judges scored the fight 114-111, 116-111 and 115-112 to the German.
Anthony Joshua is the reigning WBA ‘Super’ heavyweight champion and the victory over Ustinov could open the door for Charr to a bout with the British boxer.
The win for Beirut-born Charr, who arrived in Germany as a five-year-old, completes his remarkable comeback from two setbacks which would have ended the careers of a less-determined boxer.
In September 2015, he was left fighting for his life after being shot in the stomach following an altercation at a kebab restaurant in Essen.
Charr returned to the ring just seven months later, bearing the scars of the attack on his abdomen.
Then came another setback earlier this year when both hips had to be replaced.
“In the last two years, I have experienced everything that one possibly can,” said Charr.
“From being shot to having two new hips, but I gritted my teeth.
“The doctors told me, it is a medical miracle.”
Charr seemed to be in trouble in the first six rounds as the 2.02 meter-tall Ustinov, who had a 22.5 kilo weight advantage, dominated the fight.
However, as the Russian tired, Charr got stronger.
In the seventh round, Charr had the Russian on the ropes and although Ustinov withstood the blows, he was forced to his knees in the eighth.
A vicious left hook cut the Russian under his left eye, but with blood streaming down his face, Ustinov was saved by the bell.
Charr finished the stronger for a deserved win, the 31st of his career
Raised in Berlin and Essen, this was Charr’s second shot at a world title.
His previous attempt ended in a fourth-round defeat when he was stopped by ex-WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in 2012.
Charr ends Germany’s 85-year wait for a world heavyweight boxing champion
Charr ends Germany’s 85-year wait for a world heavyweight boxing champion
Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab
- Al-Ittihad secure fifth Saudi Pro League win of the season with a 2-0 victory
JEDDAH: It has not been the start to the season that Al-Ittihad fans had anticipated. Nevertheless, on their return to Saudi Pro League action after a 36-day hiatus, the defending champions delivered a performance that offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of seven matches in the space of 30 days.
The opening exchanges proved far from straightforward for The Tigers.
Attempting to play out from the back, they were punished within the first two minutes as Abdullah Matuq pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with Predrag Rajkovic, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce the first of several crucial saves. Just 60 seconds later, Rajkovic was called into action again, this time denying a header from a corner.
Momentum soon shifted. Roger Fernandes began to cause problems down the left wing, his quick footwork getting the better of Al-Shabab’s defence before he delivered a low cross into the box. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, aided by Karim Benzema’s intelligent screening of Saad Balobaid, met it to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Al-Ittihad came close to doubling their advantage in the 28th minute. Mohannad Al-Shangeeti struck the far post with a powerful effort, before his follow-up attempt narrowly missed the target, drifting wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.
Grohe was later called upon to keep Al-Shabab in the contest, producing a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Benzema after the Frenchman was released by a perfectly weighted pass from Steven Bergwijn.
Al-Ittihad continued to dominate possession, though Imanol Alguacil’s side managed to limit Fernandes’ influence by committing extra defensive cover on the left flank.
That adjustment failed to account for Al-Shangeeti’s runs from deep, as he surged down the right to find Bergwijn, who finished first time to seal the contest for the hosts in the 85th minute.
Late substitute Abdulaziz Al-Bishi thought he had added a third in the closing stages, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The win lifts Al-Ittihad into sixth place on 17 points, while Al-Shabab remain just two points above the relegation zone, extending their winless run to eight matches since their Matchday 2 victory over Al-Hazem.
