Friday 9 September 2016 10:27, UK
Lucas Browne has been cleared to fight for the WBA world heavyweight title after the governing body ruled it was "unlikely" he deliberately took performance-enhancing drugs.
'Big Daddy' (24-0-KO21) hauled himself off the canvas to stop Ruslan Chagaev in the 10th in Chechnya in March to clinch the WBA 'regular' crown.
But the 37-year-old tested positive for clenbuterol and was stripped of the belt, and a six-month suspension was imposed.
However, the WBA has exonerated the Australian and ordered him to fight Fres Oquendo (37-8-KO24) for the vacant title within 120 days.
In an interview reported on abc.net.au, Browne said: "I am a relieved man. I am innocent, I've been innocent the whole time, it's just good that common sense prevails in this case.
"I understand why I had the six months and everything else, rules are rules, but [the decision is] also consistent with one small dose which does nothing for my benefit whatsoever. They realised that as well.
"We were pretty good with what went into our system with water and all that stuff. I was given a steak the night before at the weigh-in so I'm assuming it's that, but again, it's just speculation.
"It actually makes your heart go three times faster, so for me to have something like that in my system for a world title fight over 12 rounds is pretty stupid to be honest."
WBA president Gilberto Mendoza recently told Sky Sports the winner of Browne v Oquendo may find themselves facing former world champion David Haye (28-2-KO26), if the London fighter maintains his prominent ranking in the coming months.
