Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne is the new heavyweight champion of the world after knocking out Ruslan Chagaev in the tenth round on Sunday morning.
REPORT: BROWNE WINS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
A big right hand in the tenth dropped Chagaev. He got up on unsteady feet and Browne went on the attack. The referee then stepped in to stop Chagaev taking further punishment.
Chagaev was ahead on points in a fairly close fight, but Browne’s knockout power was on display there in the tenth. That’s what heavyweight boxing is all about.
Browne’s record now improves to 24-0, while Chagaev drops to 34-3-1.
Browne’s win potentially opens up some lucrative opportunities for him. The heavyweight division is now wide open after Fury upset Klitschko late last year. Klitschko had previously dominated the division for a decade.
The WBA has Puerto Rican Fres Oquendo (37-8) as the mandatory title defence for Browne, but where he goes next depends on his management, boxing politics and money.
Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne will attempt to create Australian sporting history when he faces Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev in Russia this morning, hoping to become our first boxer to win a world heavyweight title. Join The Roar on Sunday morning at 7:30am (AEDT) for live fight coverage and debate in our live blog.
It’s a massive challenge for the undefeated Browne. Southpaw Chagaev is more experienced and has fought higher quality opponents during his career. Known as ‘The White Tyson’, his only two losses have been against legendary Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko and the highly rated Russian Alexander Povetkin.
At 6’5″ (196cm), ‘Big Daddy’ does have a significant height and reach advantage over the 5’11” (180cm) Chagaev. He also has knockout power, having dispatched 20 of his 23 career opponents inside the distance.
For the uninitiated, the politics and money in professional boxing mean a variety of world titles are on offer at any one time. In the alphabet soup of titles, England’s Tyson Fury (25-0) is the current WBA (Super) and WBO champion after defeating Klitschko late last year in a major upset. American Deontay Wilder (36-0) is the WBC champion. His fellow countryman Charles Martin (23-0-1) is the IBF champion.
However you rank the title Browne is fighting for today, a win will mean he has achieved more than any other heavyweight in Australian boxing history.
Australian boxers haven’t had much success on the world stage in recent years. Most of the experts are tipping that Chagaev will have too much skill and experience for the former Sydney nightclub bouncer.
But ‘Big Daddy’ knows this is his chance of a lifetime and after an intensive training camp he is in the best physical shape of his career. He firmly believes he can win and is primed to deliver the performance of his life on the big stage.
Are you in ‘Big Daddy’s corner and how do you think he will go?
Join The Roar on Sunday morning at 7:30am (AEDT) for live fight coverage and debate in our live blog.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Except if you look into what the WBA is doing, it's really a knockout comp, and Browne has just made the semi finals. Tyson is still the real WBA champ. http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/wba-announce-heavyweight-tournament/ Browne has won the belt you win when you don't really win a belt.
Rabbits
Guest
Chuck Wepner, eat your heart out! Browne has done what even NZ's David Tua couldn't do - win a world title. A real Cindarella man Story.
Darren
Roar Rookie
It says a lot when an undefeated boxer wins a world title and the lead story in most sports pages is two tennis brats arguing! That said, while it may have been the most stylish title fighting history it was a proof of the old adage of 'just keep going'. lucas deserves two major things to happen from here: 1. A sell out defense in Aus (hopefully with a top quality undercard), adn 2. A very big money unification fight. It was particularly pleasing to see so much more movement and finesse than he has displayed to date. Also props to Chagaev for taking a risky opponent, and for still standing. if you've ever heard a Browne punch delivered with full force the sound is enough to have most people on the canvas!
Dan Patrick
Guest
Love the live call - perfect for those of us who can't get to the tele
Tails
Guest
Good call John, I enjoyed it and your commentary brought the action into my Sunday moring
Tails
Guest
Good call John, I enjoyed it and your commentary brought the action into my Sunday moring
KingKongBundy
Guest
Couldn't of said it better myself Tom I watched him only 2 or 3 fights ago and thought he looked average and thought there was no way he could win a title he,s come from nowhere well done big daddy!!!!
Wayne mc
Guest
Excellent tactics by Browne Congratulations Big Daddy!
Tom Mc
Guest
Great result and so happy for Big Daddy such a nice guy! But reality check says he was being outclassed and can be outboxed... The train rolls forward but needs improvement for what lays ahead! If he keeps improving the way he has tho he can go all the way to the top!!!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Browne’s record now improves to 24-0, while Chagaev drops to 34-3-1. Browne’s win potentially opens up some lucrative opportunities for him. The heavyweight division is now wide open after Fury upset Klitschko late last year. Klitschko had previously dominated the division for a decade. The WBA has Puerto Rican Fres Oquendo (37-8) as the mandatory title defence for Browne, but where he goes next depends on his management, boxing politics and money. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the fight via a comment. Hope you enjoyed the fight coverage, and well done Big Daddy!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Yep! Round 10.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Big Daddy's game plan worked. He boxed and moved much more than usual and the hard work in his preparation allowed him to have the strength to deliver his 10th round onslaught.
Martin
Guest
What a comeback! Congrats Big Daddy
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Chagaev was ahead on points in a fairly close fight, but Big Daddy's knockout power was on display there in the 10th. That's what heavyweight boxing is all about.
Kevin
Guest
Out of nowhere, can you be live it!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
A big right hand in the 10th dropped Chagaev. He got up on unsteady feet and Big Daddy went on the attack. The ref stepped in to stop Chagaev taking further punishment. A massive upset by Big Daddy, he's the new WBA Regular heavyweight champion!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
The ref has stopped it, Browne has done it!!!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Knock down! Chagaev down!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 9 Another close round. Browne is boxing well but Chagaev is controlling centre ring and landing some bigger shots 10-9 Chagaev
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 8 Both fighters took a bit of a breather that round. Browne has regained his composure. Close round. 10-9 Browne