Amidst the uncertainty of a potential all-British blockbuster between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in December, former WBA heavyweight titleholder Mahmoud Charr claimed to have received an agreement to fight three of Frank Warren’s boxers, which includes Fury.
I’m the only opponent Tyson Fury can fight: Mahmoud Charr
Charr, who was born in Lebanon and has a professional boxing record of 33–4, clinched the WBA “Regular” title with a win over Alexander Ustinov back in November 2017 before returning to action after more than three years with a knockout victory over Christopher Lovejoy in Cologne in May 2021, followed by another KO win against Nikola Milačić in May this year.
Having received no response regarding his deadline of last Monday at 5:00 pm, Fury stated that Joshua had missed the opportunity to share the ring with him while bringing up Charr as a potential substitute for AJ. In the meantime, both Fury and Joshua’s promoters, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn are involved in negotiations to make the fight a reality.
Charr, However, claims to have a received deal to fight 3 of Frank Warren’s heavyweights, which include Daniel Dubois, Joe Joyce and ‘The Gypsy King’ himself.
“I hope so,” Charr told Boxing News Online, “I’m waiting to see if Anthony Joshua responds and signs for that fight. I think if he doesn’t Tyson Fury has to fight me. I’m ready.”
“I have a signed agreement to fight the three (heavyweight) fighters of Frank Warren. I have the option to fight these three fighters: Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce. I am ready to fight any of them but Tyson Fury is the first one I would pick. I want Tyson Fury.”
“Diamond Boy” is now 37 years old and despite his five fight win streak and his agreement with Warren, it is understood that the German national is not really the one who the fans want to see sharing the ring with Fury. Facing a British boxing icon on British soil is an opportunity that he has sought since he nodded to face David Haye nine years back.
“My story in England is so long,” Charr went on, “I have tried to fight so many times in England. The first time was against David Haye, but two times David Haye cancelled the fight. I was there two times for press conferences.”
“I was so happy to fight in the UK because I know the UK will love me. The UK want real fighters and I am a real fighter. When I was going to fight David Haye, I was thinking I would be the next ‘Prince’ Naseem (Hamed) there. I would be the first Arabic heavyweight champion of the world and I would try to make the same impact as Prince Naseem. But whatever. Now the time is coming with Tyson Fury and I hope the fight will be in Manchester or Cardiff.”
“He cannot look for another opponent,” Charr expressed certainty over being Fury’s next adversary, “I am the only opponent he can fight. He has beaten Dillian Whyte in the last one. Who else is there to fight? I was the WBA (regular) champion from 2017 to 2021 (albeit a belt he never defended). I won my last five fights. I think I’m the number one contender for him. I fought (Vitali) Klitschko for the WBC title and Povetkin for the WBC contender (spot). I have fought many people. He <em>has</em> to fight me. I don’t think he can fight anyone else.”
