German heavyweight contender and WBA ‘Regular’ world heavyweight champion Manuel Charr allegedly failed a drugs test before his next scheduled fight according to reports today.

Charr, while he holds a version of the heavyweight title that is not recognized by anyone in boxing, the fact that he does, still made him in with a good shot of landing a fight with the WBA’s ‘Super’ champion in the new year Anthony Joshua.

Any thoughts about that however appear to have now gone up in smoke if this is correct.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael has reported that his next fight is definitely cancelled after Rafael obtained a copy of this letter which he has posted as a photo on Twitter revealing the substances tested positive for:

I got a copy of the letter VADA sent to the camps about secondary heavyweight titlist Manuel Charr testing positive for two banned steroids ahead of his defense next week against Fred Oquendo. Fight is canceled. https://t.co/BvChSMA9dG pic.twitter.com/mBeWmuIOgF

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 20, 2018

Not good news for Charr or the sport of boxing.

Despite boxing’s resurgence in popularity there continues to be a worrying rise in failed drug tests.

Over the past two years or so in particular. Specifically in the heavyweight division for some reason.

A division that has returned to popularity but incidents like this do not bode well.

It must be noted however, as per the above letter, Manuel Charr is entitled to request a B sample.