“If I felt any better, I’d be scared of myself.”—Jack Johnson
WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (23-0, 20 KOs), the undefeated slugger from Sydney, Australia, is sitting by the phone eagerly awaiting news that his challenge against WBA World heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev is moving forward.
“I’ve been waiting patiently by the phone for news,” says Browne. “They say good things come to those who wait, but I can’t wait to get my shot at Ruslan Chagaev. People are asking me where the fight will take place. We have to wait for the WBA to give us the green light. After that, I honestly don’t care where it happens, although having it in Australia or even in Britain, where I’ve boxed many times, would be fantastic. But I’d be happy to fight Chagaev anywhere.”
The Aussie was made mandatory challenger for the WBA crown in February, but his challenge was put on the back burner after Puerto Rico’s Fres Oquendo obtained a court ruling that allowed him to jump the queue to face Chagaev in a rematch of their July 2014 encounter.
But as luck would have it Browne now finds himself next in line again due to Oquendo having to withdraw from an October 17 date due to a shoulder injury sustained in sparring.
Browne’s manager Matt Clark says, “We’re looking forward to having the WBA issue a resolution stating that Lucas’s position as mandatory challenger has been upheld and hope to begin negotiations in a matter of days rather than weeks.
“I saw Chagaev’s manager stating that he believes the fight will take place in Moscow or Grozny once the WBA issues us a date, but that remains to be seen.
“It’s a fight that a lot of fans are looking forward to, so hopefully it can get made very soon. There hasn’t been a heavyweight championship fight in Australia since 1908 when Jack Johnson took the title away from Tommy Burns. Perhaps Browne taking the title away from Chagaev will be the next chapter!”
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.
