Syrian boxer Charr eyes historic title fight with Joshua

MAHMOUD Charr has vowed to become mandatory challenger for champion Anthony Joshua.

The Syrian boxer is scheduled to be on the United States of America for a World Boxing Association title fight against Trevor Bryan.

Charr is due to make the first defence of his WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title, over three years since he claimed the belt, in a fight against Bryan on Friday in Miami, which is being promoted by Don King.

But the Germany-based Syrian has revealed that he is due to leave at 10am on Wednesday, provided that he receives signed paperwork from King to allow him to travel.

Charr defeated Alexander Ustinov to claim the WBA belt in 2017.

“Yes, I’m still in Germany, I’ll fly tomorrow to Miami,” Charr told Sky Sports.

“I was there today and they have told me, if I cannot show them the signed agreement, they will not give me the extra visa.

“I need the signed agreement back to show them I can come to the US and fight.

“I’m ready. I’ve trained very hard, I’ve sparred very hard. I’m 100 per cent fit.”

Nigerian-born Briton Joshua holds the widely recognised WBA ‘super’ belt, along with the World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation titles that were also at stake in his ninth-round knockout win over Kubrat Pulev in December.

Charr has suggested that the winner of his fight with Bryan, who is WBA interim champion, will secure a guaranteed fight against Joshua.

“This is the mandatory fight for Joshua,” said Charr.

“I hope the fight will happen. I’m the first heavyweight champion from the Middle East.

“I know when I beat Trevor Bryan, (Joshua’s promoter) Eddie Hearn can make the fight in Qatar, or Saudi Arabia, because I’m the first Arabic heavyweight from this area.

“That will be a big, big show for everyone in the world.”

Sky sports.com.