Fury vs Joshua Bout On, Hunter vs. Hrgovic Off, Manual Charr Returns
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
May 2021 has brought the heavyweight division back to life. After the return of Andy Ruiz Jr. by decision over Chris Arreola by 12 round decision in a World Boxing Association World Heavyweight Title eliminator, more heavyweight action is scheduled, as switches back into high gear. If the return of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium is evidence, boxing fans will be back in numbers as the pandemic era fades.
Former World Boxing Association World Heavyweight champion Manual Charr, 31-4, 17 knockouts, Cologne, Germany, will return to action in a scheduled 12 rounder on May 15, 2021, at Box Gym, Cologne, Germany, to expose the padded record of Christopher Lovejoy, 19-0, 19 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada. None of Lovejoy’s opponents have a winning record, making him unlikely to go to 20-0 against Charr in Charr’s hometown. On the same card in Cologne, Germany, former World Boxing Organization European Heavyweight champion Christian Hammer, 25-7 with 15 knockouts, Hamburg, Germany, will face 7-24 Polish journeyman Patryk Koroll in an eight rounder unlikely to go the distance.
Belgian heavyweight Herve Hubeaux, 32-3 with 14 knockouts, Andenne, Belgium, will make a comeback at Country Hall in Liege, Belgium, on May 29, 2021, against 10-5 Frenchman David Spilmont in a scheduled eight rounder.
International Boxing Federation International Heavyweight champion Felip “Stone Man” Hrgovic, 12-0, 10 knockouts, Zagreb, Croatia, needs a new opponent for an International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight title eliminator as Michael “The Bounty” Hunter, 19-1-1 with 13 knockouts, withdrew from fighting Hrgovic in a favor of fighting a 12 rounder against Mike Wilson, 21-1 with 10 knockouts, Medford, Oregon. Wilson is still a cruiserweight, while Hunter moved up from cruiserweight to heavyweight. No weight class has been stated for this June 19, 2021 boat at LoanPark, Miami, Florida.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, the Fury versus Joshua heavyweight unification superfight will be held in Saudi Arabia on August 7 or August 14, 2021. Fury and Joshua signed a two fight deal to unify the title in March 2021. Contractual details and purse negotiations are continuing. The Tokyo Summer Olympic games will finish up on August 8, 2021, making an August 14, 2021 date for Fury vs. Joshua I ideal.
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