Another sorry situation arose as Kubrat Pulev declared himself to be Bulgaria’s first-ever heavyweight champion.
Pulev announced his achievement after defeating Mahmoud Charr on December 7 in Bulgaria. According to his team, Pulev enjoyed a ‘historic sporting event’ and a ‘spectacular showcase of boxing,’ which would be a ‘monumental day in the annals of Bulgarian sports.’
Sadly for Pulev, the WBA heavyweight title he claimed is not a recognized championship outside the World Boxing Association. The creation of the belt, which took place in 2009, has caused controversy ever since, with the WBA promising to abolish the crown in 2013 when President Gilberto Mendoza spoke exclusively to World Boxing News.
Eleven years on, and despite further assurances that they would whittle all divisions down to one champion per weight class, scenarios like that on Saturday night continue to occur.
As stated pre-fight by organizers at Epic Sports, the “landmark event has ignited a wave of national pride, with ticket sales soaring as the Bulgarian public rallies behind their hero, Pulev. The anticipation has reached a fever pitch, with a sell-out crowd expected to be part of this historic moment.
“Pulev, riding on a wave of quiet confidence and the emotional narrative of fulfilling a family legacy in boxing, looks poised and ready. Pulev believes that fighting on home soil is destiny—a sentiment deeply shared by his supporters—and aims to close a familial circle of boxing that started with his late father and includes his brother, Tervel Pulev, a world-rated cruiserweight.
“The excitement extends beyond the main event with an undercard that boasts some of Bulgaria’s brightest boxing talents. With this collaborative effort, the event has transformed into a veritable Bulgarian Boxing Festival, prompting national broadcaster BTV to extend broadcast hours to accommodate the full lineup of fights.
“This event is not just a boxing match but a celebration of Bulgarian spirit and resilience. A who’s who of Bulgarian society and popular culture will attend. This will make it a night to remember in Sofia.
“Join us in witnessing a defining moment in sports history—be part of the legacy.”
Kubrat Pulev beat Mahmoud Charr by UD in Sofia #AndTheNew WBA Heavyweight Champion @KubratPulev 🇧🇬#Boxing #Boxeo #WBA #WBABoxing pic.twitter.com/5QbjbdgzoA
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) December 7, 2024
With a build-up of that nature, you’d be hard-pressed not to want Pulev to win, and win he did. The Bulgarian brute won a unanimous decision to dethrone Charr, who was making his first defense of the title he first won seven years ago.
Such is the absolute abhorrence that goes along with the cursed WBA ‘regular’ title; the fact it’s still in existence gives boxers like Pulev, who worked hard their entire careers, the false claim that they actually hold a world title.
The cold, hard fact is that Oleksandr Usyk is the WBA heavyweight champion. There is no other. There are not two champions per organization, nor has there ever been in the sport’s history.
WBA chiefs, including Mendoza, are to blame for his injustice. Until the belt is obliterated, fighters like Pulev will be led into a delusionary claim that they hold a bonafide strap and can claim to be a champion when they are not.
Social media users reacted to Pulev’s win with “Shame” and “The WBA is a sad, pathetic joke.”
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The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay. Learn more, read all articles from the experienced boxing writer, and follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.