Refugee ‘Rocky’ becomes first Arab heavyweight champ

Manuel Charr

LONDON: Seven months after a double hip replacement and two years after being shot, Manuel Charr has become the world’s first Arab heavyweight boxing champion.
Beirut-born Charr, who fled to Germany as a five-year-old, defeated Alexander Ustinov by unanimous decision on Saturday night to win the WBA heavyweight title.
The victory capped a remarkable comeback from three setbacks which might have ended the career of a less-determined boxer.
He was stabbed in the back when he was 16 and 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 blow 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.
“I have experienced much more than fits in a life. I’m like a cat with seven lives. I’ve used five so I have to change something.”
On Saturday night, he showed all his resolve and skill to emerge as the clear winner of the WBA bout in Berlin. Charr rocked Ustinov in the seventh round when he had the taller fighter against the ropes and tried to finish off the bout.
The Russian weathered the punches but seemed disorientated, allowing Charr through again and again with his left.
Charr finished the eighth by catching Ustinov with a vicious left blow that left the Russian on his knees with blood streaming below his left eye. The bell provided respite.
Ustinov displayed remarkable resilience as he lumbered through the next rounds but Charr had already done enough.
The judges scored the fight 114-111, 116-111 and 115-112 to the Lebanese-born puncher. Charr has now won 31 of his 35 fights, with 17 KOs.
He could now face Anthony Joshua, the reigning WBA Super heavyweight champion, in a super fight.
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.
He dedicated this victory over Ustinov to his adopted home country.
“What can I say, Germany — we are world champions,” Charr roared.
“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.