Former world heavyweight title challenger Manuel Charr returns to action on February 22nd in Galati (Romania). The „Diamond Boy“ will defend his WBC Silver International Championship against 35-year old Turk Yakup Saglam. Saglam was scheduled to fight former world champion Ruslan Chagaev on December 1st in Dusseldorf but Chagaev didn’t show up for the weigh-in.
„Chagaev was scared, that’s why he didn’t come to fight me!“, said Saglam. Felix Sturm who promoted the show in Dusseldorf tried to convince former cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan to jump in as last-minute replacement. But Arslan didn’t want to fight Saglam either so the bout was cancelled.
„That two former world champions refused to fight Yakup Saglam tells you a lot about him and his power“, states Charr. „Chagaev just didn’t show up without any reason. I am not like that. I don’t duck anybody. So here I am giving Saglam the fight he has been waiting for for a long time.“
Saglam won 28 of his 29 professional fights with 25 wins coming by way of knockout. His sole loss was a controversial decision awarded to unbeaten German champion Michael Wallisch in April 2011. „I thank Manuel Charr for giving me the opportunity to fight him“, says Saglam. „I hope that he doesn’t decide to chicken out like Chagaev. I am a warrior, I’ll fight anybody. I promise that I will be in top shape on February 22nd and make Charr regret that he offered me this fight.“
The show in Galati will be promoted by EC Boxing and broadcasted live on Eurosport. Charr who promotes himself is paying all costs for his own fight. „I want to remain active and defend my titles to earn another title shot“, says the „Diamond Boy“. „My only goal is to get my hands on Vitali Klitschko again. I just hope that he doesn’t retire before I get a second chance to take the title from him.“
