Originally hailed as Germany's first world heavyweight boxing champion since the legendary Max Schmeling 85 years ago, Manuel Charr has now admitted he doesn't hold a German passport after all.

Charr, 33, was born in Lebanon and came to Germany at the age of four. He beat Russian Alexander Ustinov for the World Boxing Association championship belt on the weekend and insisted afterwards he held only a German passport.

But he admitted to hold none after all, to Thursday's Express paper which said that his application for German citizenship was turned down.

"I want to apologize to the German people that I said the passport was ready to be picked up," he said. "For the past two years I relied on the work and statements of my lawyers who wanted to deal with the issue."

Charr, who underwent double hip replacement in summer, was reportedly turned down by German authorities because of a criminal past. He was charged but cleared and two years ago shot at, with the suspect in prison.

Charr said he would apply again for German citizenship.

While Schmeling remains the last German heavyweight world champion 1930-1932, Charr is the first heavyweight world champion from the Middle East.