Manuel Charr has fuelled suspicions he plans to use his WBA heavyweight title to secure a lucrative fight with Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury by calling out the British rivals.
The Lebanon-born Syrian, 33, is preparing to make the first defence of his title against mandatory challenger Fres Oquendo in Cologne, Germany on Sept. 29, and if he succeeds he will thereafter be in contention for a higher-profile fight.
Fury this Saturday returns to the ring after an absence of more than two-and-a-half years, and against Sefer Seferi, the Albanian Charr outpointed only two fights ago. Joshua remains in negotiations to meet either Deontay Wilder or Alexander Povetkin, but if he is to maintain his present level of activity he will need three opponents during 2019.
“I have a message for Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua,” Charr said. “It’s my time. I’m coming for you guys to the UK, and I’m hoping to meet you in the ring.
“It will be fireworks, I promise. Manuel Charr is back as WBA heavyweight champion.
“I’m coming for you, ‘AJ’. Tyson, AJ, I’m coming for you.”
Charr similarly confronted David Haye during the post-fight press conference of the latter’s victory over Dereck Chisora in July 2012, effectively ensuring his selection as an opponent for Haye the following year.
A hand injury Haye suffered meant that their fight never took place, but if the Briton refuses to retire despite successive defeats by Tony Bellew it would be for financial gain, so Charr would again become a logical target. Possession of the WBA title increases bargaining power, owing to its marketability in a fight against another of the division’s champions.
For that reason Charr is also considered a suitable target for Fury, who without a title could struggle to secure the purse he would expect from the potential fight with Joshua that will increasingly be in demand. Seferi’s selection as the former champion’s opponent was even justified by his promoter Frank Warren by the fact Seferi took Charr the distance, suggesting that the Syrian is on their radar and giving September’s fight with Oquendo further importance.
Arab heavyweight champion Manuel Charr calls out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
Arab heavyweight champion Manuel Charr calls out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
- Charr preparing to make the first defence of his title against Fres Oquendo
- But he's got his sights set on British pair
Desert Vipers eliminate Sharjah Warriorz with 5-wicket win to close ILT20 group stage
- The result confirmed the Vipers’ place at the top end of the table, while leaving either Abu Dhabi Knight Riders or Gulf Giants to claim the final playoff berth
SHARJAH: Desert Vipers ended the Sharjah Warriorz’ playoff hopes with a five-wicket victory in their final International League T20 group-stage match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, becoming the first team to win eight games in a single group phase.
The result confirmed the Vipers’ place at the top end of the table, while leaving either Abu Dhabi Knight Riders or Gulf Giants to claim the final playoff berth when they meet in the last league fixture on Sunday.
The winner of Saturday’s clash between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals will finish in the top two.
After being sent in the Warriorz were restricted to 140 for seven, with Naseem Shah and Qais Ahmad leading a disciplined bowling effort. Naseem finished with three wickets, while early strikes from David Payne and Khuzaima Tanveer left the hosts reeling at 6 for two.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles rebuilt through the powerplay, adding 61 runs for the third wicket, but the innings lost momentum once Kohler-Cadmore was bowled by Naseem in the 10th over.
Qais then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Charles for 43 and removing captain Sikandar Raza for a golden duck, reducing the Warriorz to 79 for five.
James Rew and Ryan Burl attempted to stabilize the innings, but the Vipers closed strongly, with Naseem striking again late on to ensure the Warriorz failed to reach a competitive total.
The chase began shakily as Raza and Richard Ngarava reduced the Vipers to 28 for two inside the powerplay, removing Fakhar Zaman and Andries Gous.
Max Holden and Sam Curran steadied the innings with a measured 64-run partnership, absorbing pressure before gradually lifting the run rate.
Harmeet Singh briefly revived the Warriorz’ hopes with wickets in the middle overs, including Curran and later Dan Lawrence and Jason Roy, but Holden remained composed throughout.
His unbeaten 66 from 46 balls anchored the chase, before Hasan Nawaz’s brisk 25 from 14 deliveries ensured the Vipers crossed the line with overs to spare.
Vipers captain Curran said the win was an ideal way to close the group stage.
“It was really pleasing to get a win heading into the qualifier. We adjusted to the conditions very well. Max played a superb innings, and Hasan finished it off nicely with some big strikes at the end. We’ve had a fantastic season overall, winning eight out of ten matches,” he said.
Sharjah Warriorz skipper Raza reflected on a disappointing campaign, saying: “Pretty much everything that could go wrong for us did go wrong this season. Had we played those key moments slightly better in a few of our games, we would have qualified already.
“On these wickets, 150 was a competitive total and we rarely got there, which is the most painful part.”
