WBA Champion’s title defence cancelled

Heavyweight champion Manuel Charr will not defend his WBA belt next week against American challenger Fres Oquendo after a ‘suspect’ doping test by the Syrian forced the fight to be cancelled, his management said.

National Daily learnt that Charr’s A sample from an Aug. 31 test showed “two suspect substances” and due to time constraints regarding the opening and testing of the B sample the bout was now cancelled.

“I have never taken anything. I fought Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, seven title fights and I was always a clean athlete. “Why should I take something before the fight against Fres Oquendo.” the fighter reasoned