By Luke Furman
Heavyweight contender Alexander Ustinov is scheduled to return to the ring on November 25 in Oberhausen (Germany).
According to his promoter, Vladimir "Krasivyy" Hryunov, the Russian giant will fight against Manuel Charr in a battle of veterans.
Initially, the World Boxing Association ordered a mini-tournament to eliminate the issue of multiple titles in the weight class - and as part of that scenario, former world champion Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo where scheduled to face each other in June, for that vacant WBA "regular" title. The fight fell out after Briggs failed a pre-fight drug test and came up positive for a banned substance.
The winner of Briggs-Oquendo would have had to make a mandatory defense of that title against Ustinov or face the possibility of being stripped.
Later, Ustinov's team held discussions with Oquendo's representatives about a fight for the WBA "regular" belt, but they were unsuccessful in reaching a deal.
"Alexander Ustinov will fight with Manuel Charr on November 25," Hryunov said in a telephone conversation with Oleg Bogatov. "The fight is planned to take place in Oberhausen."
Ustinov in his previous fight on May 19 in Bolton, England won a technical knockout in the first round against Brazilian Rafael Zumbano Love. The Russian heavyweight, in the professional ring, won 34 wins (25 - by knockout) and with one defeat to Kubrat Pulev.
Charr won 30 fights (17 - by knockout) and has four defeats. Charr won his last two fights in a row by knockout, including a unanimous decision win in September over undefeated Sefer Sefari for the vacant WBA International heavyweight title.
The WBA's "super" champion at the weight if Anthony Joshua, who also has the IBO, IBF world titles. He makes a mandatory defense of his belts on October 28th in Cardiff, against Pulev.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.