After speculation about his nationality, the new heavyweight world champion Manuel Charr has affirmed that he has a German passport.”Yes, I swear it! I’ve been German for a year and a half. Due to all my events, such as the assassination attempt and my hip operation, I just haven’t been able to pick him up at the office yet,”said the Cologne elector in an interview with Bild.
The 33-year-old had been celebrated 85 years ago as the first German champion of all classes since boxing legend Max Schmeling in Oberhausen last weekend after his point win in the World Championship fight for the vacant WBA title in Oberhausen against the Russian Alexander Ustinow. However, some media quickly expressed doubts as to whether he was actually in possession of a German passport.
Charr was born in Lebanon, shattered by the civil war, and at the age of five he fled to Germany with his mother and five siblings. His father had fallen victim to the war.
“The people here gave me a roof over my head after my family fled. In Germany I was allowed to go to school. Here, social workers have given us incredible support and help from the very first second,”Charr said:” I can only say to everyone, even the new refugees:”Be happy to live here. There is no better, safer country.”