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
LIV Golf to increase regular season field size to 57, adds third qualifying spot for LIV Golf Promotions
- LIV Golf Promotions will now reward the top three finishers with full-season wild card spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League
NEW YORK: LIV Golf on Tuesday announced it has increased its regular season field size and enhanced the qualifying opportunities for 2026 in the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions, set for Jan. 8–11 at the acclaimed Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida.
The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem, offering spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League and The International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
Beginning this February, LIV Golf’s regular season field size will increase to 57 players, with 13 four-player teams and five wild card players competing throughout the League’s global schedule.
LIV Golf Promotions will now reward the top three finishers with full-season wild card spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League, an increase from the two spots previously announced.
The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series, the set of elevated events sanctioned by the Asian Tour. The move further enhances the pathways into LIV Golf from 2025 to 2026, with an increase in exemptions from one to two players through The International Series and an increase from one to three players through LIV Golf Promotions. The five qualifying players will compete independently as wild cards in 2026 with guaranteed spots in the League’s 13 regular season events.
“LIV Golf is committed to moving the sport forward by expanding opportunity and access,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. “We are opening pathways — creating more chances for top talent to compete in the world’s golf league. Adding another qualifying spot strengthens our field and adds excitement to a season built on opportunity, competition, and growth.”
The top three finishers in LIV Golf Promotions will enter the 2026 LIV Golf League alongside Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, who sealed their spots as the top two players in the final rankings of the 2025 International Series, which concluded last month at the 2025 PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club.
