Mahmoud Charr

Mahmoud Charr is a solid heavyweight who has flittered around world level, holding a WBA version of the world titles. His professional title path has been fraught with political difficulties. Born on October 10, 1984, Charr participated in Muay Thai kickboxing before starting to box under the tutelage of German coaching legend Ulli Wegner. Charr won regional titles as an amateur before turning professional. 

Known as Manuel or ‘Manny’, much of Charr’s career has been based in Germany, with a brief spell fighting in Russia. ‘Diamond Boy’ was born in Lebanon and now resides in Dubai, where, in February 2024, he donated 5,000 meals to guest workers as a gesture of goodwill. Charr has led an eventful life. In September 2015, Charr was shot multiple times outside a kebab shop in Essen, Germany, by a supposed online troll who he trained as a youngster. 

The perpetrator was sentenced to five years in prison for his actions and Charr later stated, “What kind of a man would I be not to forgive this boy? I always stood up for peace in my home country Syria and all over the world. I need peace and love for my country Syria this is my prayer and why I began my decision for peace and forgive.” In September 2018, Charr tested positive for the use of anabolic steroids.

Manny Charr turned professional in Germany in 2005. He won a number of low-key bouts before moving on to take out faded American names such as Sherman Williams, Robert Hawkins, and Zack Page for experience. Charr challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title in Moscow in 2012 but was beaten up, cut and taken out in four rounds.

Charr preferred to contest minor WBC titles to secure rankings, which led to the Klitschko opportunity. In May 2014, Alexander Povetkin stopped him in round seven while challenging for the vacant WBC international title. Just months after suffering a stoppage defeat to Mairis Briedis, who was testing the waters at heavyweight over eight rounds, Charr was shot in Germany. 

Charr later defeated Alexander Ustinov to win the vacant WBA heavyweight title. The situation became extremely murky around WBA titles, failed drug tests and political connotations as various parties contested the status of champions and their respective options.

Ulli Wegner

Mahmoud Charr has worked with a number of trainers throughout his career. In the formative days of his boxing career he trained under the tutelage of renowned German coach, Ulli Wegner at the Max Schmeling Gym in Berlin.