@lucasbrowne

Aussie puncher Lucas Browne has informed WBN he expects a title shot following the news former opponent Ruslan Chagaev has been stripped of his old heavyweight championship.

Browne lost the belt outside the ring due to a failed drugs test despite stopping Chagaev in Grozny earlier this year and has continued to protest his innocence over the matter.

‘Big Daddy’ tested positive after the fight, although an earlier sample from five days before the contest had cleared the Ricky Hatton-promoted knockout specialist.

A ban of six months went uncontested by Browne as the undefeated fighter concentrates on getting his career back on track, and with Chagaev out of the picture, the 37 year-old is eyeing a clash with heavyweight tournament participant Fred Oquendo.

Rumours of a higher profile outing opposite David Haye in the UK are currently doing the rounds, but as explained in a previous article by WBN, Oquendo is first in line and the more probable of the two for Browne.

“David Haye is obviously an option for me and the money would interest me, of course, but at this moment nothing is confirmed,” Browne exclusively told World Boxing News.

“Ruslan Chagaev got stripped of his title so it’s looking good for me but as I said before, nothing is confirmed. All I know it will be a title shot for me who ever it is and I’d prefer Oquendo first.

“A fight with Oquendo can take place he in Oz and I’d prefer that for my next fight. I’d say that is a probability because Oquendo is contracted,” he added.

On another note, Browne also revealed that he is now enlisted in the World Boxing Council clean boxing program and is open to VADA testing whenever and wherever the organisation wishes to take samples.

“I’m proud to announce my enrolment the WBC / VADA Clean Boxing program. I’m a clean athlete as I have always said and I’m available for testing at any time,” said Browne.