Ruslan Chagaev vs Lucas Browne on March 5

Ruslan Chagaev vs Lucas Browne on March 5

LUCAS “BIG DADDY” BROWNE has the opportunity to make history when he faces Ruslan Chagaev at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny, Chechnya on March 5. Australia has never had a world champion in the heavyweight division, but the 36-year-old from Sydney aims to change that by ripping the WBA crown away from the experienced Uzbek. Browne has been the mandatory challenger for the title since February, but has had to wait patiently for a shot due to Puerto Rico’s Fres Oquendo being granted a rematch with Chagaev. That return was scrapped in October when Oquendo suffered an injury.

Lucas Browne Enlists the Help of ‘The Dark Destroyer’ for Heavyweight Title Dream

Lucas Browne Enlists the Help of 'The Dark Destroyer' for Heavyweight Title Dream

Unbeaten Australian heavyweight contender Lucas Browne, has enlisted the assistance of British super-middleweight legend Nigel Benn as he gears up for his (mandatory) title shot against WBA (reg) champion, Ruslan Chagaev.

The Dark Destroyer, now resident in Australia full-time, will oversee Browne’s training regimen alongside experienced Australian trainer Rodney Williams, as “Big Daddy” makes the switch full-time from previous coach, Jeff Fenech.

Lucas Browne scores 9th-round KO over a determined Julius Long, fails to impress

Lucas Browne scores 9th-round KO over a determined Julius Long, fails to impress

Top-ranked, unbeaten heavyweight contender Lucas Browne overcame a far tougher and determined Julius Long than anybody expected earlier today in Australia. Eventually, after a rough and tough night’s work, Browne got the KO win with a second remaining in the ninth-round. Now 23-0(20), Browne said post-fight how he injured his thumb in the early going. Long, loser of eleven of his last 12 bouts, falls to 16-19(14). Still, the 38-year-old put on one of his best showings in some time.

“Big Daddy,” as Browne is known, is closing in on a shot at a world title and the 36-year-old has called out all manner of big names recently. It’s likely that none of these fighters – Tyson Fury included – will have seen anything to worry them in Browne’s latest win.

Lucas Browne: A Message For Fury / Echoes Frustrations At Inactivity

Lucas Browne: A Message For Fury / Echoes Frustrations At Inactivity

After recent social media “interactions” with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and the news that colourful heavyweight rival Tyson Fury has got his big shot at Klitschko, Australian heavyweight contender Lucas Browne has spoken out in a new social media video to air his frustration at 8 months of inactivity, as well as the perceived uncertainty surrounding his status as Commonwealth heavyweight champion – a belt it’s mooted Britain’s Anthony Joshua is to be fighting for in September.

Browne, who is looked after by Ricky Hatton and the former fighter’s promotional outfit, released a video entitled “Big Daddy thinking of Tyson Fury while on the toilet” – and used the opportunity, initially, to address the giant Mancunian.

Wilder Has No Chin & A Padded Record Says Lucas Browne

Wilder Has No Chin & A Padded Record Says Lucas Browne

Since that less than stellar performance against Eric Molina earlier this month, Alabama’s WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has taken a bit of a shellacking from all quarters, particularly from his fighting peers in the heavyweight division.

One man it seems more than any other, unbeaten Australian contender Lucas Browne, has been trading barbs with Wilder across social media as of late – the latest of the exchanges coming via a video Browne has released in relation to their ‘beef’.

Could We See Deontay Wilder v Lucas Browne ?

Could We See Deontay Wilder v Lucas Browne ?

After making hard work of beating Eric Molina recently, the heavyweight division seemingly began to close in on WBC champion Deontay Wilder, with everybody from Tyson Fury to David Price and Lucas Browne all speaking out to say they feel a fight against “The Bronze Bomber” is a perfectly winnable proposition.

And it is Browne who has upped the ante more than anyone recently, taunting Wilder via his promoters and over social media directly in hope of making the fight.

Lucas Browne About To Make History Again.. “Big Daddy” Browne named mandatory for Ruslan Chagaev’s belt

Lucas Browne About To Make History Again.. "Big Daddy" Browne named mandatory for Ruslan Chagaev's belt

It has been a long, painful and sometimes frustrating road for Browne, however now his faith in his own ability and destiny has been repaid after WBA chairman Gilberto Mendoza mandated on Wednesday that Chagaev’s representatives have 30 days to negotiate the fight with Browne.

Although Lucas is a very approachable and pleasant man outside the ring he looks like he’d eat your Granny in the ring.

Lucas Browne is the former MMA fighter, who won his first boxing contest in 2009 by KO. That has become a familiar outcome for many of his fights since, his record now stands at 22 fights, 22 wins, 19 of which have come by KO or stoppage. Of those 19, only 18 have heard the bell for the start of the 6th round. Impressive stats by anyone’s standards. Whilst he would agree himself he isn’t Ali, he has tremendous ability, huge power, is trained by Jeff Fenech and promoted by Ricky Hatton via Hatton Promotions.

Five Fighters to Watch in 2015

Five Fighters to Watch in 2015

As we see out the year of 2014, boxing fans will look back and be nothing more than truly excited about the year to come.

Whilst there may not have been many real legacy defining super-fights, many new contenders have emerged, ready to pose a threat to those that dominate. Some divisions have opened up and could be conquered by anyone, while others have contenders vying for an imperious champion.

At featherweight a true legend in Nonito Donaire was put away by Nicholas Walters. Sergey Kovalev was not able to do the same to Bernard Hopkins, but he showed he is a worthy successor to the oldest champion in boxing history.