By Edward Chaykovsky
Heavyweight contender Lucas Browne (22-0, 19KOs) has made himself available for Deontay Wilder's next defense, but claims the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion has rejected him. Browne is the mandatory challenger to WBA 'regular' champion Ruslan Chagaev.
Browne is ready to step in and fight Wilder on September 26th, when the champ is scheduled to make his next title defense in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card on NBC.
The September fight will be Wilder's last voluntary defense before he enters into negotiations for a fight with mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin of Russia. Browne predicts that Povetkin will knock Wilder (34-0, 33KOs) out.
Browne has been out of the ring since stopping Chauncy Welliver in the firth round last November in Melbourne, Australia.
"Wilder is a little chicken-s***, he won’t fight me. He’s gonna get knocked out by [Alexander] Povetkin anyway," Browne said.
"At this point I don’t know what the hell’s happening with me. It’s been over seven months since I had a fight. Apparently there is something in the pipeline but all I keep hearing is hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.
"I’ll keep plugging away here, waiting for someone to finally get back to me about something that may happen in my life or not. Sorry for everyone who’s waiting for a big announcement from me – but I don’t know what’s going on myself."