Epic Sports & Entertainment announced today that Ihor (“The Hulk”) Shevadzutskyi (11-1, 9 KOs) will now face Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (30-3, 14 KOs) in a 12 rounder on March 30 at the Arena Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria for the WBA International heavyweight title, replacing WBA heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr (34-4, 20 KOs) who sustained a tear to the distal tendon of his bicep while sparring earlier this week and underwent surgery yesterday.
Ivaylo Gotzev, CEO of Epic Sports, Pulev’s promoter, said, “after our long-awaited Bulgarian homecoming, we were hit with a formidable challenge by Charr’s injury. While we are disappointed, we have been planning a great evening of boxing and entertainment for Bulgaria and therefore the show must go on! Kubrat’s brother, Tervel, a former Olympic bronze medalist, will be fighting Rolly Lambert Tameza as the co-feature bout.”
“The Hulk is a tough and rugged heavy hitter who has nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Gotzev continued. “He knocked out his latest opponent only last month and is in great shape. He was at the gym training when he got the call and didn’t hesitate a second to take this great opportunity. He has a come forward style with knockout power in both hands. It’s a risky fight for Kubrat, but he relishes a challenge and wants his fans and boxing fans around the world to see a competitive match.”
WBA heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr said, “I tore the distal tendon of my bicep in training. I am gutted to announce that I cannot fight on March 30. My training was going well which makes this doubly hard. I look forward to a quick recovery. I am hoping to be able to attend the event on March 30. I look forward to the rescheduled WBA world title bout with Kubrat at the earliest opportunity.”
Nooooooooooooooo!
Hmmm…the biceps for March 30 appear to be cursed!
Apparently inactivity is bad for the arms.
Also, Lucie, Charr holding a piece of some WBA belt is just bad for boxing too.
Surprise Surprise. Claimed this title in 2017, has had 3 fights since then against very lowly rated boxers and still retains the title, unbelievable
He just absolutely REFUSES to go away. They stripped him and Dubois ended up with the belt and got his shot at Usyk… but here comes Charr back to reclaim that belt he got out of a claw machine.
Maybe Charr and Thurman should arm wrestle. As long as they pay the appropriate sanctioning fee!
The ridiculous sanctioning bodies and stuff like this have turned boxing into a laughingstock. Enough is enough.
????? Dude should be stripped, This is like a routine for dude. Let Parker fight somebody for the belt if for no other reason than to give it some credibility.
He was in 2021. They gave it back to him last year after holding it for four years without ever defending it.
Just stop recognizing the WBA. Actually don’t pay attention to any of them. It’s easy to trace the legit champs in the 8 traditional weight classes. Even if it wasn’t, whomever you choose as your personal champions are more worthy than this turd.
Maybe if fighters quit paying sanctioning fees for these worthless belts that could happen. I remember Ring Magazine every month with champions and top ten ranking in the eight divisions. Titles and rankings meant something then-downside is you have to be old to remember this.
In the words of Michael Scott “sign me up for who cares?”
In the words of Michael Scott “sign me up for who cares?”
It’s o.k. He can return in 6 months to go for the “Silver” belt. Or turn up in another year ahead of someone else in the queue who fought 2-3 times, to challenge for this “GOLD” belt.
I mixed up the other WBA Gold title fight with this. What was it again? The “Regular” title?
WBA succeeds again- in confusing the fans.
Usyk is the WBA champ. Enough of this international, regional, local bullshit fucking titles. Eat a dick boxing!
How about put him in with someone legit, so he loses and that belt disappears.
I assumed Fres Oquendo would have gotten the call
Shoot, oquendo probably got next!
The WBA must really be totally clueless on how stupid they look having CHAR as some kind of champion. Char says he is gutted that he cannot fight, but what has he been doing for the last so many years?
Soooo, Charr gates to hold on to an actual belt for another year? That should be a record of longest period being a champion without an actual title defense. Pulev gets killed here. Instead of the WBA title, he gets a regional international Kellogg’s wba belt. I guess they hold the same value. Pulev by k.o 3rd round, if that.