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Who’s your Daddy? Q&A with Lucas 'Big Daddy' Browne

Heavyweight boxer Lucas Browne is facing drug use allegations. (Image: Mark Robinson)
Roar Guru
25th January, 2016
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Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne is a big man who wants to do what no Australian has done before – win a world heavyweight boxing title.

On March 5 in Russia, the undefeated Big Daddy (23-0) will take on Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1), the reigning WBA heavyweight champion.

It’s an enormous challenge, but Browne is up for it. He’s less experienced than Chagaev, but at 6 feet 4, Big Daddy will have a significant height and reach advantage over his 5 foot 11 opponent.

Despite this, bookmakers currently have him as a 4-1 underdog.

While Big Daddy looks intimidating both in the flesh and in the ring, outside of it the former nightclub bouncer is intelligent, articulate and down to earth.

Browne was kind enough to take time out of his intensive fight preparation to answer a few questions.

Why do you think you’ll beat Chagaev?
I think it’s my time, I’ve waited long enough. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been, and we’re still six weeks out from the fight.

I’m having the perfect camp, I couldn’t be happier with my preparation. It’s my fight to lose.

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Who has been the toughest opponent in your undefeated career so far, and why?
Andriy Rudenko from the Ukraine. He’s not the best boxer I’ve ever faced, but I made that fight hard for myself. I didn’t fully prepare for the fight, I was overweight at 124 kilos and not in shape.

It was held in England and I thought I’d knock him out within four or five rounds and go home. But he had a chin like a brick.

I wasn’t physically or mentally prepared to go the full 12 rounds, but I had to do it and it was hard. It ended up being a close fight, but it shouldn’t have been. I won’t make that mistake with my preparation again.

What part of your training/fight preparation do you enjoy the least?
The muscle soreness afterwards. As we’re speaking I’m stretching on a bed after doing an hour of high-intensity work. But the way I think of it is the pain I feel today will be the strength I’ll feel tomorrow.

I know the hard work is worth it. At the moment, I train about five hours a day. Two hours in the morning, including 12 rounds focusing on ladder and footwork drills, and 12 rounds of pads. Then at night, I’ll either do weights or a high-intensity session for about an hour and a half, followed by an hour and a half walk or bike ride to finish off.

How do you psyche yourself up in the dressing room before a fight?
I don’t really get nervous because I’ve done 13 years of security work. In that line of work I’ve been shot at, stopped a few shootings, had people come at me with knives, bottles and that sort of thing.

A boxing ring is a controlled environment against just one opponent, with a referee in there if anything goes wrong. That’s quite calming for me, I don’t have to worry, I just have to do my job. I don’t really have to psyche myself up because I know if I don’t do my job the other bloke is going to knock me out.

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What is your favourite sport other than boxing?
I’ve done a bit of everything in my life… I’ve always liked rugby league because it has that physical aspect to it. I played for Parramatta in the juniors and I still always support them whether they win or lose.

Who is your favourite non-boxing sportsperson?
Michael Jordan, he carried himself well both on and off the court. He was a good role model in that way. And if he ever talked a bit of smack, he was able to back up every word he said.

What is your favourite movie?
Snatch. It’s a comedy about a small-time boxing promoter mixed up with the underworld.

What is your favourite food?
McDonald’s. I’m always there on cheat day.

What is your favourite drink?
Coke Zero, I don’t really drink alcohol.

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere that’s quiet and away from all the hustle and bustle.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you get to this world title shot?
Absolutely. My promoter Ricky Hatton, my trainer Rodney Williams, my sparring partners Wade Hatch and Jai Opetaia, and my manager Matt Clark.

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So there you have it. The man behind the fists. Let’s all get behind him on March 5 as he attempts to make Australian sporting history.

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