By Jake Donovan
Lucas Browne has spent all of 2015 chasing after a big fight, to the point of being blocked by his own promoter on social media.
To the squeaky wheel finally goes the grease, as the unbeaten heavyweight contender will face secondary titlist Ruslan Chagaev on March 5 at Akhmat Arena in Grozny, Chechnya.
"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 Thursday evening in a statement released through the press office of Hatton Promotions.
News of the fight comes at a small price, as it leaves Browne with just one ring appearance in 2015. Injuries and frustration over a lack of viable options left him idle following three wins in 2014 in his advancement from prospect to contender.
However, his title quest comes with a sense of urgency. At 36 years of age, time isn't exactly on his side even if he's only absorbed mininal punishment since turning pro in 2009. His last fight was a bit of an adventure, surviving a disastrous start to his bout with American journeyman Julius Long before scoring an 8th round stoppage this past August in Australia.
His first title opportunity will double as his first true adventure in hostile territory. Browne has spent 17 of his 23 career fights at home in Australia. Of the six road trips, five came on the home turf of Hatton Promotions in England, while his Dec. '12 clash with Jason Gavern came on neutral ground in Hong Kong, China.
Few familiar faces will be found in his quest to become the first Australian heavyweight to own a major title (albeit a secondary version of the crown). On the upside, Browne's demeanor suggests he knows the situation he faces.
"Travelling overseas to fight doesn't bother me in the slightest," Browne insists. "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!"
Chagaev (34-2-1, 21KOs) returns to the location that made him a two-time heavyweight titlist. The 37-year old southpaw from Hamburg, Germany by way of Uzbekistan claimed a secondary title with a 12-round win over Fres Oquendo that was mired in controversy from the days leading up to the fight all the way through the mysterious drug test results that seem to plague visiting fighters traveling to the Eastern Bloc.
Only one fight and win for Chagaev has followed, a 1st round stoppage of Francesco Pianeta this past July. The lack of activity means he will have fought just three minutes of live ring action by the time the opening bell sounds for their clash next March.
That said, Browne isn't leaving anything to chance - not only expecting the very best available version of the defending titlist, but also a stacked deck against him.
“Make no mistake, I'm going over to Grozny to knock Ruslan Chagaev out," Browne promises. 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 for their hard work."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
