Big day looms for Big Daddy
One-time Northbridge doorman Lucas "Big Daddy" Browne is set for the biggest fight of his life after being named mandatory challenger to WBA 'regular' heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev.
The Aussie banger, who has won all 22 of his fights, 19 early, received the news this morning after WBA chairman Gilberto Mendoza told Chagaev's representatives they have 30 days to negotiate the fight.
Browne's promoter Ricky Hatton, who told thewest.com.au two years ago that Browne was a potential world champion, backed his man to KO the Uzbeki.
"I'm delighted that Lucas has been made the WBA's mandatory challenger," his promoter Ricky Hatton said. "Chagaev has shown that he's one of best heavyweights around, but Lucas is a massive puncher and can knock him out.
"Australia has never had a world champion at heavyweight so this is a chance for Lucas to make history and he's going to grab it with both hands.
"Lucas is a warrior who'll fight anyone at any time and he's been itching to get back in the ring. We've had a lot of people asking when they'll see him fight again and I think the fans will be very pleased now we can reveal what we've been working on.
"I became a promoter to help boxers with their careers and to make champions. For Lucas to become Hatton Promotions' first world champion will be a very proud moment."
The 35-year-old, who is also the Commonwealth champion, fought most of his career out of Perth before returning to his home city of Sydney last year and teaming up with trainer Jeff Fenech.
Victory would give Browne a claim at being Australia's first world heavyweight champion, although nothing is that simple in boxing.
While Chagaev (36-2-1) is the WBA's heavyweight title-holder, they also have a "Super" champion, Ukrainian great Wladimir Klitschko, who is in reality their top man.
But that doesn't diminish the achievement of Browne, who has gatecrashed the top 10 of three of boxing's "big four" sanctioning bodies in the past year.
