The heavyweight division could see another shakeup tonight if Lucas Browne dethrones WBA Heavyweight titlist Ruslan Chagaev in Grozny, Chechnya.
Syndney’s hard-hitting Browne, a big favourite with BoxNation viewers’ in the UK, aims to make history and become Australia’s first ever world heavyweight champion and progress into the next stage of the WBA’s title reshuffle tournament to define one world champion in the organisation.
At 36, the Ricky Hatton promoted Browne is undefeated in 23 fights with 20 knockouts, 11 coming inside three rounds, and the former nightclub bouncer, who once dodged a bullet while working on the doors, will not be fazed going into Chagaev’s Gronzy battleground – listed as one of the world’s most dangerous cities.
The bulking and heavily tattooed Browne said, “He is experienced. He’s fought big fights but I’m taller and I have a lot of power. I don’t think about not winning. I’ve trained to win and that’s what I’m here to do. I’m fit and I’m prepared to go 12 rounds. If the moment is there, of course I’ll take it to knock him out.’’
Chagaev, from Uzbekistan and based out of Germany, was a top amateur who twice beat Cuban legend Felix Savon, the three-time Olympic Gold Medallist, in three of their meetings in the 90s.
Now a professional for almost 20 years, Chagaev has a record of 34 wins, two losses, one draw and 21 by knockout and is into his second reign as WBA king. His only two losses were against then unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin for a vacant world title.
He’s in hot form as well, coming off a first round stoppage of Fransesco Pianeta last July and aims to defeat his undefeated rival.
He said this week, “He’s the mandatory challenger and still unbeaten so I will surely not underestimate him. I am ready to go and I will leave no doubt who the real Champion is.”
