By Ben Jacobs

On Saturday night in Grozny, Russia, Australia’s Lucas Browne (23-0, 20 KOs) will challenge Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1, 21 KOs) for the WBA regular heavyweight title as part of a tournament which will eventually see the WBA recognise only one man as champion in the division, as has been the clamour for some time. 

Tyson Fury currently holds the super champion title and is the recognised number one heavyweight in the world.  Chagaev won his belt with a majority decision against Fres Oquendo in July 2014 and defended it for the first time last July with a first round TKO win over Francesco Pianeta. 

Browne, meanwhile, has posted pictures of late on social media revealing an improved physique which leaves no doubt as to how serious he has taken his training.  Chagaev’s trainer, Pedro Díaz is expecting a quality fighter in the opposite corner, but not necessarily due to his physique.

“I think that Lucas Browne is a good fighter, he is strong,” Díaz told BoxingScene.com.

“But I’ll tell you something, it’s not always the case in boxing that the physical shape of the fighter or his record determines the outcome.  I’m not impressed by physiques or records.  But we’ll see what happens.  Chagaev may not have a great physique but he’s a great boxer.  He has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin in his whole career.  I am sure it will be a good fight, maybe it won’t go the distance.”

Following the bout in Russia, Díaz and his team will head to Liverpool, England where Guillermo Rigondeaux will fight James ‘Jazza’ Dickens at the Echo Arena on March 12.

“Rigondeaux is very happy about fighting in England, it’s also the first time for me in England working as a trainer.  You know, I’ve always liked British boxing.  It’s one of the most important countries for boxing in the world and they have huge events there.  I want to thank everyone there for arranging this fight.”

Aside from Rigondeaux and Browne, Pedro is also working with light heavyweight contender and fellow Cuban, Yunieski González who is awaiting a date for his next fight.