Germany’s boxing star Manuel Charr shot in snack bar

Berlin: German heavyweight boxer Manuel Charr was on Wednesday recovering in hospital after being shot in a late-night attack while dining in a kebab snack bar in Essen. The 30-year-old, who lost his world heavyweight title fight to ex-champion Vitali Klitscho in 2012 in a one-sided bout, was shot late on Tuesday night, and the gunman is still at large.

Police confirmed that they have launched an attempted murder investigation to catch the offender and armed officers stormed a flat on Wednesday, but no arrests were made.

Charr underwent emergency surgery after being rushed to hospital in the west German city, but his life is not in danger and the reason for the attack is not known.

This is not the first time Charr, who is of German-Lebanese origin, has got into trouble outside the ring after being involved in a knife fight in August 2006, after throwing raw eggs at passers-by. Charr faced charges of attempted murder, but was acquitted due to a lack of evidence.