FORGOTTEN heavyweight world champion Mahmoud Charr has been told he will be stripped of his WBA belt should he fail to fight this month.
The 36-year-old – who is the only strap holder besides Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in the heavyweight division – hasn’t fought since November 2017.
Mahmoud Charr won the WBA ‘regular’ belt after beating Alexander UstinovCredit: Alamy Live News
Anthony Joshua is the recognised WBA champion as he holds the ‘super’ strapCredit: ©Mark Robinson
His last fight saw him pick up the WBA ‘regular’ belt after he outpointed Alexander Ustinov in his native Germany.
Brit star Joshua holds the ‘super’ version of the WBA belt, which he originally won after he stopped Wladimir Klitschko seven months prior to Charr’s victory.
Charr’s lengthy absence from the ring is due to promotional wrangles, while he was also suspended for an adverse VADA drug test.
Though his suspension from the squared circle was later lifted by the WBA.
But the WBA have grown impatient by his inactivity, and have ordered him to face mandatory challenger Trevor Bryan before January 29.
A statement read: “The heavyweight title fight between champion Mahmoud Charr and the mandatory challenger Trevor Bryan will have to be held by January 29, 2021, according to a statement issued by the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee, and signed by Carlos Chavez.”
With time running out to make the fight, there has been no mention on when it could take place or where the two would compete.
Bryan – who is the interim WBA champ – hasn’t fought since he knocked out BJ Flores in August 2018.
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Only Tyson Fury, Joshua and Charr hold world titles in the heavyweight divisionCredit: AFP or licensors
But the unbeaten 31-year-old has stated it won’t be long until he ends his hiatus away from the ring.
In a recent Instagram post showing off his belt, he said: “Don’t Quit.
“Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a CHAMPION – Muhammad Ali.
“It won’t be long now people it won’t be long now.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
