If you haven’t heard of heavyweight punching machine Christopher Lovejoy 19-0 (19), there probably a good reason for that.
The 37-year-old American has fought his entire pro career in the boxing hotbed of Tijuana, Mexico, lighting up opponents in the rings of Bar La Oficina, Revolution Bar and the famous Big Punch Arena. He has been extended past the first round just twice – second and third round knockouts – and footage of only one of his bouts has found its way onto the internet.
The way his career has been developed has helped to build a certain mystique around Lovejoy with a certain section of hardcore boxing fans.
Now Lovejoy will get the chance to prove he is not all hype when he takes on WBA ‘regular’ champion in recess Mahmoud Charr 31-4 (17) over 12 rounds at Box Gym in Cologne, Germany on Saturday night. Charr, 36, who also goes by the name Manuel, will be having his first fight in three-and-a-half years.
Lovejoy, who was joined by his training team on Thursday, has remained upbeat and confident since arriving in Germany.
“Once I beat him, that catapults me onto the next level with the top guys,” Lovejoy said to Sky Sports.
“The top two guys, [Anthony] Joshua and [Tyson] Fury, won’t be available. After that there is Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin and Andy Ruiz Jr.
“Preferably the fights I want? Joe Joyce or Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller. I saw flaws in those guys a long time ago.
“Maybe Filip Hrgovic, he needs a fight too. Immediately after this fight I will say: ‘who’s next?'”
But Charr has plans for big fights after this bout too and isn’t planning on surrendering to Lovejoy easily.
“Mahmoud has not boxed for a long time,” his promoter Erol Ceylan told Sky Sports.
“It is important now that he fights and wins against Lovejoy. After that, I have big plans for him. If he wins this fight, he could face the winner from Joshua-Fury in the next fight.”
