Lucas Browne, the new WBA heavyweight boxing champion, has tested positive to the banned substance clenbuterol.
The Australian boxer knocked out Ruslan Chagaev on March 5 to win the title, but ESPN is reporting that the ‘A sample’ failed a test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
A copy of an email sent by VADA president Dr. Margaret Goodman, obtained by the website, read:
“This letter is to advise you that the ‘A’ sample urine specimen number 2998060 collected from Lucas Browne … has been analyzed for anabolic agents, diuretics, beta-2 agonists and stimulants.
After his historic win two weeks ago, Browne holds a portion of the WBA heavyweight title that’s split three ways with Tyson Fury (unified world champion), and Luis Ortiz (interim belt holder).
He was expected to fight Puerto Rican Fres Oquendo whose last fight was a majority decision loss to Chagaev in July 2014.
If he was to win that, prime-time fights with David Haye and Tyson Fury would have been firmly on the cards.
Now however, any future fights are in doubt until this matter is resolved.