By James Blears
Irrepressible and charasmatic, WBC international silver champion Manuel Charr is turning out to be one of the ascending stars of the WBC Convention in Bangkok Thailand. With movie star looks, a 6'4 inch frame with a corresponding toned physique and barely twenty nine, Charr is still a relative youngster in the heavyweight divison.
During the WBC'S Ratings Committee at their Convention in Thailand, he was moved up a couple of notches from number eight to six. Manuel cut his teeth as a kickboxer becoming a world champion, and then amateur boxing. In his pro boxing career He's won 15 of his 25 fights with KO's. His only defeat, which still rankles and he still disputes, came via a TKO cut loss in four rounds, to formidable WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in Moscow on September 8th 2012.
Charr and Vitali have been talking a lot at the Centara Grande Hotel in the Thai Capitol Bangkok.
Manuel currently promotes and manages himself with the help of friends, investors and sponsors. He explained:
"So I do everything. My philosphy is to trust in yourself, believe in yourself and then no one can stop you. This year I'll fight again. I now have five WBC belts and I'm going to win all the belts of the WBC. This is the road to the world championship and I need a good promoter, because no money...no dreams," Charr said.
"The world also needs history. I'm the first Arabic heavyweight fighter because my Mother is from Lebanon and my Father is from Syria. I fought for the world championship in 2012. This was historic, but the people forgot it. The next time in 2014 I'll become the first Arabic world champion in the heavweight division.
"Then all the ambassadors and sponsors from Arabic countries will be there and I'll do fights in those countries. This is the money and the money loves me. That's why my nickname is Diamond Boy."
And the friendship with Vitali is out of admiration. Manuel says:
"Vitali tells me...Manuel you follow me everywhere! You are a very strong fighter, you have a big heart. I can and will be world champion, but staying there is harder. I need a good promoter and a good team."
