Lucas Browne to challenge Ruslan Chagaev for WBA world heavyweight title
Friday 18 December 2015 11:20, UK
Lucas Browne will challenge Uzbekistan's Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA world heavyweight title in Grozny, Chechnya on March 5.
The governing body's 'unified' champion remains Tyson Fury but Australia's Browne (23-0-KO20), who is promoted by Ricky Hatton, has confirmed he will take on Chagaev (34-2-1-KO24) for the regular title.
The 36-year-old from New South Wales said: I'm absolutely delighted to announce that I'm fighting for the WBA title and I fully intend to become Australia's first ever heavyweight world champion," Browne, 23-0 (20 KOs), said. "Make no mistake, I'm going over to Grozny to knock Ruslan Chagaev out. I'm not interested in leaving the fight in the hands of the judges so I'm going to bring my two judges with me, my left hand and my right hand.
I can't thank Ricky Hatton and Hatton Promotions enough for getting me the opportunity. For one reason or another, this fight has been hard to make and I have to praise Ricky and his team.
"I've already started the process of turning my body into a machine and I'm going to destroy whatever is in front of me. Travelling overseas to fight doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've done it many times in my career and at the end of the day it'll be just me and Chagaev in the ring.
"I've got fans all over the world, but this is going to be one for the Australian fight fans. We have had a bad run with Aussie boxers overseas but I'm probably the only one that wins consistently away from home. I'm going to become our first heavyweight champion on March 5 and I can't wait to have the support of our entire nation in my corner!
"I can't thank Ricky Hatton and Hatton Promotions enough for getting me the opportunity. For one reason or another, this fight has been hard to make and I have to praise Ricky and his team for their hard work."
Chagaev, whose only career defeats to date came at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, won the vacant belt in July 2014 when he edged Fres Oquendo on points and has scored a first-round stoppage over Francesco Pianeta in his opening defence.
