It’s a fight that’s been talked about forever.
In the red corner is WBA World heavyweight champion Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev (34-2-1, 21 KOs), the resilient southpaw from Hamburg, Germany, by way of Andijan, Uzbekistan.
In the blue corner is WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champ Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (23-0, 20 KOs), ranked #2 by the WBA, the undefeated knockout artist from Sydney, Australia.
On March 5, 2016, at Akhmat Arena in Grozny, Chechnya, Chagaev and Browne are going to finally get it on and the fight should be a barnburner.
Australia has never had a heavyweight champion, but the 36-year-old Aussie is dead set on dethroning the 37-year-old reigning and defending WBA World champion.
“I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I’m fighting for the WBA title,” says Browne, “and I fully intend to become Australia’s first ever heavyweight world champion.”
Australia has had contenders and pretenders vie for boxing’s biggest prize. But that was then and this is now and “Big Daddy” is going to let it all hang out on March 5.
“Make no mistake,” he says. “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’ve already started the process of turning my body into a machine and I’m going to destroy whatever is in front of me. Traveling 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.”
The ring can be a lonely place, but at least Browne and Chagaev will have company.
“This is a historic moment in Australian boxing,” adds Matt Clark, Big Daddy’s manager. “Lucas Browne joins Bill Squires, Bill Lang, Kali Meehan and Alex Leapai as the only Aussies to fight for the heavyweight title.
“We know the challenge ahead of us as Chagaev is a great fighter, but we feel he’s ready to be taken. We’ve been waiting patiently for this fight to materialize. It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere in Grozny and we are looking forward to putting on a great show and making Australian boxing history.”
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.
