Klitschko to cut 'Diamond Boy' down

style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: 600;"Mon 17th Sep, 2012

Unbeaten heavyweight Manuel "Diamond Boy" Charr (21-0) has been given the opportunity that most of the fighters in the glamour division, David Haye in particular, would kill for - a world title fight against WBC belt holder Vitali Klitschko (44-2).

This weekend in Moscow Vitali Klitschko makes the 10th defence of his WBC world heavyweight title since dispatching Nigerian Samuel Peter in Berlin in 2008.

Little is known about 27-year old Charr because his rise up the world rankings has been extremely rapid. After taking up Thai-boxing as a 17-year old he became German and European champion within two years. His professional boxing debut came in 2005 in Bayreuth, Germany where he defeated David Vicena in 4 rounds on the same bill as Nikolay Valuev, Henry Akinwande and former IBF middleweight world champion Sebastian Sylvester.

Some sages believe that Charr should be proving himself against the likes of Robert Helenius, Tyson Fury or Ruslan Chagaev before jumping in at the deep end but no-one can really blame him for jumping at the chance to take on the formidable 3-time world champion and whether it helps or hinders his career remains to be seen. Charrs' style isn't particularly technical, he lacks footwork, head movement, speed, a jab and generally absorbs more than he throws. That said, he is incredibly solid and is most effective when fighting on the inside, relying on powerful body punch combinations to slowly wear down opponents. 

The Ukrainian is 14 years the senior boxer and his physical condition has been questioned lately. However, his experience and power should make up for any supposed weakness. Dereck Chisora took the champion 12 rounds back in February this year and Charr does possess some of the same characteristics as Klitschko's previous opponent. That means Klitschko will need to keep Charr at arm's length to avoid being hurt with body punches and there is still the concern over whether his shoulder is back to full strength.

Most people believe this will be another easy night for Klitschko and many also believe this will be his last fight. Interestingly though, with the WBC this week welcoming David Haye back into their family, the question still remains whether Vitali will head full-time into politics or accept a massive fight with David Haye before hanging up his gloves. The Mayor's job in Kiev is up for grabs in October and he could find himself elected into a political career by then. Who would want their last fight to be potentially risky and damaging to their public image?

Manuel Charr has other ideas on how things will pan out and is already looking past the world champion. "I will destroy Vitali Klitschko, and next is David Haye" says the Syrian-born slugger who has only been 12 rounds once as a professional. That was in his last outing against another Ukrainian, Taras Bydenko in Cologne where he won by unanimous decision.

 


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