Australian powerhouse Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne has been made the mandatory challenger for Ruslan Chagaev’s WBA heavyweight title.

Hatton Promotions has worked hard to get Browne the correct opportunities at the correct time since signing him in 2012 and the Sydney-native’s rise up the rankings has been little short of mesmeric.

In the past 12 months, Browne has won a host of titles and climbed from number 15 in the WBA’s ratings to a verge of becoming his country’s first ever world heavyweight champion.

Correspondence issued to Hatton Promotions from WBA chairman Gilberto Mendoza has confirmed that Chagaev’s representatives now have 30 days to negotiate the fight.

“I’m delighted that Lucas has been made the WBA’s mandatory challenger,” said promoter Ricky Hatton. “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.”