According to Hatton Promotions, doctors have confirmed that Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (23-0, 20 KOs), the undefeated heavyweight from Sydney, Australia, who is currently ranked #3 by the WBA, sustained a broken thumb in his fight with Julius Long last week.
“Well the bad news is that it was a crack in the bone,” explained Browne. “I broke it with the first right hand I threw. I felt it straight away. Luckily the doctor has said an operation isn’t necessary. I’ve got the thumb in a splint and it’s just a matter of resting it for four weeks or so and letting it heal completely.”
Big Daddy fought through the pain and KO’d Long in the ninth round. He isn’t about let a broken thumb stop prevent him from fighting for the heavyweight crown.
“I was contacted by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at North Parramatta,” Browne said. “I went down and used their hyperbaric chamber which should really help me with the healing process. The swelling is going down and I’m looking forward to working on my cardio in the meantime.”
Big Daddy’s manager, Matt Clark, was more than impressed at Browne’s willingness to gut it out while injured.
“Lucas showed a lot of heart fighting on with a broken thumb,” he said. “It wasn’t his best performance and we know that, but he still stopped an opponent who was determined and who showed up to fight. He told me his right hand hurt like hell every time he threw it.”
Browne is the current mandatory challenger for Ruslan Chagaev’s WBA World heavyweight title and expects to get his shot later this year or early 2016.
Due to a court case, Chagaev is obligated to defend against Fres Oquendo and has been warned that he will be stripped if he fails to accommodate Browne immediately afterwards.
“Lucas Browne is always up for a battle,” added Clark. “He has an incredible will to win. We are hearing that Ruslan Chagaev and Fres Oquendo are close to finalizing their fight plans and that will allow us to map out the rest of our year.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
