- Title: Boxing-WBA champion Charr's title defence cancelled after 'suspect' test
- Date: 20th September 2018
- Summary: DUESSELDORF, GERMANY (RECENT - SEPTEMBER 12, 2018) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MANUEL CHARR DURING RECENT TRAINING SESSION IN WESTERN GERMAN CITY OF DUESSELDORF
- Embargoed: 4th October 2018 12:14
- Keywords: Michael Charr doping boxer boxing Heavyweight champion
- Location: DUESSELDORF, GERMANY
- City: DUESSELDORF, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Boxing,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0018YFL4CF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Heavyweight champion Manuel Charr will not defend his WBA belt next week against American challenger Fres Oquendo after a 'suspect' doping test by the German-based Syrian forced the fight to be cancelled, his management said on Thursday.
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 cannot explain it and I am asking myself how could it happen," the fighter, who lives in Cologne, told the Koelner Express newspaper.
"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 33-year-old Charr (31-4) had won the WBA title against Russia's Alexander Ustinov last year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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