Promoter and former champion Ricky Hatton has been pleased with the rise of his Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne, who has been touted as a possible future opponent for Anthony Joshua.
Of the unbeaten Sydney fighter, Hatton said: "Lucas Browne is the mandatory for the WBA title, which is held by Ruslan Chagaev. At the moment, it's dragging a bit too much for my liking. Chagaev is supposed to be making a defence before he fights Lucas but there've been no dates or venues announced.
"Obviously, when you get a fighter in to the mandatory position, you don't want to take too big a risk with him because in the heavyweight division one punch is all it takes.
"When you get in the mandatory position, the rule is you don't take any chances and you stay there until your chance comes. If you ask Lucas, he's dreamed of becoming a world champion and he has his shot so why would he want to fight someone like Anthony Joshua?
"Joshua is looking like the next big thing and he's a hell of a nice guy. As a proud Brit, I'll be behind him every step of the way. But Lucas is in the mandatory position so why would he want to take on Joshua at this stage?
"When you punch like Lucas Browne, you've got a chance against anybody. We saw Deontay Wilder the other day and he didn't look that good. I think if Lucas had have boxed Wilder that night, Lucas would have knocked him out."
