In a significant heavyweight showdown, former world title challengers Kubrat Pulev and Mahmoud Charr are set to face off for the vacant lesser version of the WBA heavyweight title on March 30th in Sofia, Bulgaria. This eagerly awaited bout was officially announced during a press conference in Sofia, attended by both fighters. The match is scheduled to take place at Arena Sofia, which boasts a capacity of 12,000 seats, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle.
Mahmoud Charr’s path to this fight has been tumultuous, involving a lengthy legal battle with the WBA and promoter Don King. This dispute arose from numerous unsuccessful attempts to arrange a title defense against King’s fighter, Trevor Bryan, which eventually led to Charr being stripped of the title. Bryan subsequently captured the secondary belt in January 2021 with a victory over former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and managed one defense of the title in 2022 before losing to Daniel Dubois in a dramatic four-round bout in June 2022.
The matchup between Pulev and Charr was finalized in January, setting the stage for their March confrontation. Speaking at the press conference, Pulev expressed respect for his opponent, acknowledging the serious challenge posed by the experienced Charr. “I will be facing a very serious opponent who, like me, has a lot of experience,” Pulev stated, highlighting the significance of the encounter.
Pulev’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev, emphasized the pivotal nature of this bout for both their careers, expressing a lifelong ambition to secure a world title fight in Sofia. “This is the chance of my life and Kubrat’s life,” Gotsev remarked, underlining the high stakes involved.
Charr, on his part, framed the fight as a pursuit of legacy rather than financial gain. “I am a fighter. I do not fight for money. I fight to leave a legacy,” Charr declared, advocating for dedication and hard work as the keys to achieving one's dreams.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing