The heavyweight division could see another shakeup tonight if Lucas Browne dethrones WBA World Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev in Grozny, Chechnya, exclusively live tonight on BoxNation.
Syndney’s hard-hitting Browne, a big favourite with BoxNation viewers’ in the UK, aims to make history and become Australia’s first ever world heavyweight champion and progress into the next stage of the WBA’s title reshuffle tournament to define one world champion in the organisation.
At 36, the Ricky Hatton promoted Browne is undefeated in 23 fights with 20 knockouts, 11 coming inside three rounds, and the former nightclub bouncer, who once dodged a bullet while working on the doors, will not be fazed going into Chagaev’s Gronzy battleground – listed as one of the world’s most dangerous cities.
The bulking and heavily tattooed Browne said, “He is experienced. He’s fought big fights but I’m taller and I have a lot of power. I don’t think about not winning. I’ve trained to win and that’s what I’m here to do. I’m fit and I’m prepared to go 12 rounds. If the moment is there, of course I’ll take it to knock him out.’’
Chagaev, from Uzbekistan and based out of Germany, was a top amateur who twice beat Cuban legend Felix Savon, the three-time Olympic Gold Medallist, in three of their meetings in the 90s.
Now a professional for almost 20 years, Chagaev has a record of 34 wins, two losses, one draw and 21 by knockout and is into his second reign as WBA king. His only two losses were against then unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin for a vacant world title.
He’s in hot form as well, coming off a first round stoppage of Fransesco Pianeta last July and aims to defeat his undefeated rival.
He said this week, “He’s the mandatory challenger and still unbeaten so I will surely not underestimate him. I am ready to go and I will leave no doubt who the real Champion is.”
Live coverage for Chagaev v Browne will start at 7pm tonight. To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525, Freeview 255, TalkTalk 415, iPhone, iPad or Android and Amazon devices) for only £12 a month visit boxnation.com or to watch online subscribe at watch.boxnation.com
Lucas Browne beating Ruslan Chagaev would help Ricky Hatton
San Diego, CA – March 3, 2016 – This Saturday afternoon, March 5th, undefeated and number-two ranked WBA heavyweight contender Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (23-0-0) will battle defending WBA World Heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1) for his belt. The bout will be broadcast LIVE in the United States on AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment.
The action begins live at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT.
Browne is promoted by former two-division world champion and British Idol, Ricky Hatton and the Manchester great has a lot on the line this Saturday if Browne can come through with the victory.
“It would be massive for my company, very significant,”said Hatton. “Lucas would be my first world champion as a promoter, and it’s fantastic that it would be a Heavyweight title. I was a two-time world champion as a fighter. I have trained a world champion, so I don’t know many people who have done all three as a trainer, fighter and a promoter. ”
To have Browne in this position, the fighter turned promoter, is thrilled for his fighter, being that Browne was not sought after in his early career.
“I am very happy for Lucas. He came up the hard way. He was not an Olympian. In fact, it was just a few years ago, that he was working doors at the night clubs and he has put in the hard work and this is a big night for me and my company.”
Despite the fight being in enemy territory, “The Hitman”, feels his fighter is in good hands as Browne is being trained by former super middleweight world champion and British great, Nigel Benn.
“He has a great team behind him. An excellent trainer. It is going to be a tough job, but I firmly believe that he will win the fight. It will be difficult as Chagaev was a big amateur and now a world champion. Lucas who has always been known as a puncher is moving a lot better on his feet. Very fluid. Lucas has also added speed and has had great preparation.”
Being in enemy territory, Hatton knows that the fight may come down to the judges, and he believes that Browne will get a fair shake.
“I would like to think that Lucas will not need a knockout to win, but judges can be swayed by the hometown fans, but this being a world title fight, I expect world class judges. That being said, Lucas should not leave it to chance.”
With a Browne win, there is a chance a good portion heavyweight division would run through the United Kingdom as Unified champion Tyson Fury and potentially Anthony Joshua (who fights IBF champion Charles Martin on April 9) would hold most of the hardware in boxing’s glamour division.
“I thought about that. I get along well with Eddie Hearn, who has Joshua. I get a long great with my former promoter Frank Warren and you can also throw David Haye in there who is back. I can’t see any problems making fights with Joshua or Fury and we would have some massive heavyweights fights here. Lucas has fought five times here and has a good fan base.”
“The only thing that I am gutted about on Saturday is that I can’t be there with Lucas when he wins as I train a lot of young fighters and I have four of them fighting on Saturday and they need me in London with them, but Saturday will be a great day for my company.”
There will be a three fight undercard beginning at 2 PM.
In a 10-round Heavyweight bout, Edmund Gerber (25-2, 16 KO’s) of Schwerin, Germany will fight Brian Minto (41-10, 26 KO’s) of Butler, PA.
In a 10-round bout for the IBO International Welterweight title, Vishkahn Murzabekov (12-0, 6 KO’s) of Russia takes on former world title challenger Ali Funeka (37-5-3, 30 KO’s) of South Africa.
Tyrone Spong (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Miami, Florida battles David Gogishvilli (12-0, 8 Ko’s) of Gori, Georgia in a 6-round Cruiserweight bout.
Boxing fans can enjoy this amazing card on AWE available on AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD, CenturyLink PRISM TV ch. 144 and 1144 in HD, and numerous regional cable providers across the nation. Please check www.awetv.com for boxing updates.