Sofia, Bulgaria - Kubrat Pulev and Mahmoud Charr are set to face off on December 7, 2024, in Sofia, Bulgaria, for the WBA Regular Heavyweight Title, a belt that Charr has more through legal battles than any meaningful wins. Charr, now 40 years old, reclaimed his "regular" title after suing the WBA, but his career has been mired in controversy and inactivity. Having fought only three times since 2017, Charr’s presence on the fringes of the heavyweight division has been puzzling to many fans and analysts alike. His most notable accomplishment was getting reinstated as a "champion" in 2023 after a legal dispute with the WBA, but his resume is incredibly thin.

Pulev, 43, remains a more solid and respected figure in the heavyweight landscape, although his best days are behind him. Once a legitimate world title contender, Pulev still holds relevance and is currently ranked inside the top 30. His last fight, a decision win over Ihor Shevadzutskyi in March 2024, was a tune-up after the original match against Charr was postponed due to an injury suffered by the Syrian-German heavyweight. Pulev is widely seen as the clear expected winner going in, and many expect him to deliver a convincing stoppage, which could open the door for more significant opportunities, such as a potential bout in Saudi Arabia.

From a stylistic perspective, Pulev is known for his solid fundamentals, good jab, and ability to control the pace of a fight. He has shared the ring with elite fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, giving him a wealth of experience at the top level. In contrast, Charr, who claims to be "avoided," has rarely faced top competition and has been more of a sideshow in the division than a real contender. His most notable win came against Alexander Ustinov in 2017, but since then, he has struggled to stay active and relevant.

The winner of this bout will technically be the mandatory challenger for the actual WBA title, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk. However, with Usyk set to face Tyson Fury on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it is unlikely that the WBA Regular title holder will get a shot anytime soon. Instead, a victory here would more likely position Pulev—or Charr, should he somehow pull off an upset—for a payday against a rising prospect or a contender looking to stay busy. Names like Jared Anderson or Efe Ajagba could be potential opponents for Pulev, particularly if he scores an impressive win. Some have even speculated that heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma might try to claim a 'title' via the holder of this belt.

The stakes for both fighters are clear: if Pulev wins convincingly, he remains a relevant figure in the division and could find himself in a significant fight in the near future. For Charr, a loss would likely end his run as a 'fringe contender', pushing him into journeyman status, where he would be relegated to the role of a stepping stone for up-and-coming fighters.

This is not a fight with any implications for the top 10, but it is critical for both men. Pulev, with his track record and experience, needs to win to keep his career moving forward. Charr, meanwhile, is fighting to achieve relevance in a division that seems to have passed him by. While miracles do happen, few believe Charr has what it takes to beat Pulev, even at this stage of their careers.

In the end, the December 7 bout is likely to serve as a crossroads for both fighters. For Pulev, a victory could put him back on the radar for a high-profile fight or even a chance at another title shot. For Charr, a loss would signal the end of his strange journey as a 'champion'.