Kubrat Pulev outpoints Mahmoud Charr to capture WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title

Kubrat Pulev won a unanimous decision over Mahmoud Charr on Saturday, picking up Charr’s WBA’s “regular” heavyweight title and putting himself in position to challenge the winner of the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Pulev triumphed in front of his hometown crowd in Sofia, Bulgaria. The scores were 117-111 (twice) and 116-112. He is now 32-3 (14 KOs).

Pulev, 43, has fought for major heavyweight titles twice before. He was taken out by Wladimir Klitschko in five rounds in 2014 and stopped in nine rounds by Anthony Joshua in 2020. Pulev then suffered another setback in 2022, when he lost a split decision in his rematch with Derek Chisora.

This victory over Charr, however, makes it three straight victories for Pulev. 

The winner of Usyk-Fury II will hold the primary WBA title, as well as the WBC and WBO belts. The WBA has long been derided for its proliferation of “regular” and interim titles but has decreased its number of secondary belts in recent years. Yet this “regular” heavyweight title has persisted for years.

That would change if the WBA orders a fight between Pulev and the winner of Usyk-Fury II — or if the winner of Usyk-Fury II vacates their WBA title rather than face Pulev, in which case Pulev would become the primary titleholder.

The WBA could also choose another route: ordering Pulev to face its number one contender, Martin Bakole.

As for Charr, the 40-year-old fell to 34-5 (20 KOs). This loss ended a six-fight winning streak dating back to 2016.