In general, the more imaginative a lie is, the less likely it is to be believed. However, I find myself appreciating the effort put into it and being more inclined to forgive its telling. This might be because I personally struggle to lie convincingly or deceive others without feeling guilty. Alternatively, it could be that I simply admire creativity in any form, even if it means being deceived and having my time wasted.
I devoted considerable thought to this matter on Thursday, March 21st. On that particular day, I reached out to the renowned heavyweight, Mahmoud Charr, in anticipation of his upcoming bout against Kubrat Pulev on March 30th. Known for his willingness to engage in conversations, Charr graciously spoke to me at approximately 12:30 pm (UK time) and promptly shared an update on his training, exuding his customary charisma and optimism.
“I feel really good,” Charr told Boxing News that afternoon. “The training has been good; I am ready. I am a positive person. I am happy to be back in the ring. What belongs to you, belongs to you, and Allah has given me my belt back.”
To retain his WBA “regular” heavyweight belt, Charr would need to defeat Pulev, who is supported by his fans in Sofia, Bulgaria. When questioned about the significance of this, Charr, always brimming with confidence, responded, “My dear friend, I am a global fighter. I adapt to any environment. It holds no importance to me. I am the ‘Arab German King,’ with a blend of German and Arab heritage. I can easily assimilate anywhere I go.”
He stated that his strategy for Pulev was straightforward. According to the German boxer, Pulev is highly skilled as an amateur but lacks strength as a professional. His intention is to force Pulev to surrender during the fight, effectively ending his career. Although Pulev has had an impressive career and the opportunity to make history in Bulgaria, the German boxer expressed his determination to defeat him. He desires to engage in multiple rounds with Pulev to gain valuable experience, but ultimately, whether it be through points or a knockout, a victory is all that matters to him.
Following that, Charr, who is 39 years old, made sure to remind me of his moniker, “Diamond Boy”, implying that he would undoubtedly excel under pressure in the upcoming week. He further revealed his aspiration to someday engage in a fight in the Middle East, specifically mentioning Tyson Fury as his ideal adversary. “My sole desire is to face Tyson Fury,” he declared. “He is the supreme heavyweight in the world. I have no interest in challenging (Anthony) Joshua or any other British fighter. I am solely focused on confronting the ruler of the UK, Tyson Fury, the ‘Gypsy King’.”
Mahmoud Charr (Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Overall, Charr’s demeanor remained consistent: ambitious, driven, and slightly out of touch with reality, but in a positive way. In essence, he resembled the typical boxer you contact just days before a major bout, hoping they’ll spice things up and provide some noteworthy soundbites.
Despite initially expressing confidence and enthusiasm about fighting Kubrat Pulev, Charr unexpectedly revealed his lack of preparedness on the same day. Surprisingly, just four hours after our conversation, I discovered that Charr was nowhere near ready to face Pulev, contrary to his earlier claims. In reality, Charr was scheduled to undergo surgery for an injured arm that afternoon, as reported by boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
In essence, I had managed to catch Charr right before his surgery, only to realize that his story was likely a fabrication meant to distract me or entertain him while he awaited the operation. It was a strange turn of events when I reached out to confirm or understand more, only to find that his phone was turned off. I wondered if he was currently in surgery, hence the sudden lack of communication. The next day, I tried calling again and the phone rang, but no one answered. At that moment, I knew what had transpired.
Furthermore, the situation becomes even more peculiar. On March 19, just two days prior to our interview, news broke out that the Charr and Pulev fight would be broadcasted on DAZN. However, Dan Rafael alleged that Charr’s injury, a biceps tendon rupture, occurred during a sparring session on Monday, March 18. If this is indeed accurate, why did they delay canceling the fight? Why were conflicting reports still circulating? What is the explanation behind the seemingly ill-fated existence of the WBA “regular” heavyweight belt?
EC Boxing has confirmed that Mahmoud Charr has undergone surgery and will begin gradually exerting strain on his arm after approximately six weeks. Consequently, Pulev will be facing Ihor Shevadzutskyi on March 30, while Charr, in his recovering state, aims to prepare for a potential match in September.
Personally, my trust issues have left me feeling crippled and uncertain about who or what to trust anymore. However, I must admit that I find it amusing and commendable how Charr managed to maintain his story and persuade me, despite its deceitful nature. It’s quite impressive how Diamond Boy was able to make something flawed and fraudulent appear flawless, even to the point where I willingly paid for it. As we concluded our conversation, he casually mentioned, “You have my number, my friend, so do send me the article once it’s published.”
