Wednesday 9 March 2016 15:33, UK
Newly-crowned WBA world heavyweight king Lucas Browne has issued a warning to those calling him out.
The 36-year-old Browne (24-0-KO21) upset Ruslan Chagaev via 10th round stoppage in Russia on March 5 to become Australia's first ever world heavyweight champion.
Since then, Browne has been challenged by unbeaten New Zealander Joseph Parker and rugby league star turned boxer Solomon Haumono.
His promoter Ricky Hatton admits 'Big Daddy' is already looking for huge heavyweight fights, including the winner of Anthony Joshua's IBF challenge with holder Charles Martin, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9.
I had to get my belt the hard way. So should everyone else.
But in an interview reported on Foxsports.com.au, Browne said: "My message is simple: p*** off!
"If you want to win yourself a world title, great. Go do what I did. Fight a heap of times overseas, work your way up and earn it the hard way.
"I have to accept that people are going to start stirring me in the media. Promoters, managers, fighters. They're all going to want to make me bite.
"I've already had guys like Solomon Haumono approach me but what the hell have they done to earn a world title shot?
"I had to get my belt the hard way. So should everyone else."
The age-old rivalry between Australia and New Zealand may be used as leverage by Parker's team.
Parker's manager, Craig Stanaway, said: "The boxing world knows that if Lucas and Joe were ever to meet, your Aussie champ would be humiliated and he'd be humiliated by a Kiwi."
