By Luke Furman
Heavyweight contender Manuel Charr (21-0, 11KOs) would like to secure the training services of former undisputed champion "Iron" Mike Tyson. Charr is trying to get Tyson to train him for a potential fight with WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, which may take place on September 1 or September 8 in either Germany or Ukraine.
"My coach [for the fight] has not been resolved. I am negotiating with Ulli Wegner and Mike Tyson. By the weekend, I will know what Tyson's conditions are....maybe he will do it voluntarily," Charr said.
Charr might be getting a little ahead of himself. According to Vitali's manager, Bernd Boente, the two sides are still far apart from a deal and Charr is still one of four possible candidates.
"We are in contract negotiations, but in some ways we are still a long way apart," Boente said.
Boente expects to finalize Vitali's opponent by next week. Other potential opponents include Canadian Bermane Stiverne (Ranked No. 3) and the Polish giant Mariusz Wach (Ranked No. 4). Charr is ranked at number 7.
If Vitali, a popular political figure in Ukraine, wins the October elections and becomes the mayor of Kiev, he will retire from boxing.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org