Lucas Browne was on top of the world in March.

The 37-year-old had upset Ruslan Chagaev in Chechnya to become Australia’s first world heavyweight champion in the sport of boxing.

But the euphoria of his WBA title victory quickly turned to despair. Browne was stripped of the title after testing positive to the banned substance Clenbuterol.

“I think it was always their plan no matter what, that I was never actually going to win,” Browne said. “It doesn’t make sense why I would take it I knew I was going to be tested afterwards.”

After serving a six month suspension, the World Boxing Association cleared Browne, saying it was unlikely he intentionally took the drug.

The former bouncer gets his shot at redemption next month when he fights 44-year-old American Shannon Briggs for the WBA's vacant 'regular' title.

“One of the things I’ve been looking at and thinking about over and over in my mind is knocking Briggs out and standing over the top of him and saying let’s go champ,” Browne said.

IN OTHER NEWS: SOMETIMES YOU DON'T REALISE HOW BADLY YOU WANT SOMETHING until its take away from you. That's been the case for Toowoomba's rising star Brent Rice.

He was scheduled to fight Matt Casboult for the Australian super featherweight title on TGW & Smithy Bring the Big Fights 14 on October 22 but he had to withdraw after contracting influenza A just prior to the bout.

Now it's been re-scheduled and will take place on November 25 on the undercard of the Kris George vs Cameron Hammond Commonwealth title fight.

"This has definitely been a case of you don't realise how badly you want something until it's taken away from you," Brent Rice said.

"I was shattered to have to withdraw from our original date because of illness.

"I feared I would lose my chance to fight for the Australian title.

"Thankfully my manager Brendon Smith went above and beyond and has been able to re-schedule for November 25.

"I'm also fortunate Matt Casboult's camp was agreeable to the postponement.

"The cards have fallen my way now I need to make the most of it and I intend on doing just that.

"When I was bedridden with influenza A and unable to train or do anything active it really made me understand how much I wanted the Australian title.

"In a way the illness setback has only made me stronger and my desire to win this belt is even higher."