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Aussie boxing champ fails drug test: reports

AAP

AAP

Australia’s first heavyweight boxing champion, Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne, has reportedly tested positive to a banned substance.

ESPN has reported Browne tested positive to clenbuterol in a test conducted by Las Vegas agency Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) before his WBA bout with Russia’s Ruslan Chagaev in Chechnya.

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The reports say Browne’s A-sample tested positive, but no testing has been done on the B-sample because VADA is demanding Browne pay for the second test.

A letter obtained by ESPN written by VADA president Dr Margaret Goodman to the organisers of the Browne-Chagaev fight 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.

“The results of the analysis are as follows: Adverse. Urine specimen contains Clenbuterol.

“Mr Browne has the right to promptly request analysis of the ‘B’ sample at his expense.”

Clenbuterol is used as a metabolism booster to help burn fat.

Browne, who had to dig deep to overcome a disastrous sixth round and wobbly start against Chagaev, improved his record to 24-0 (21 KOs), while Chagaev dropped to 34-3-1, 21 KOs.

It meant Browne won the so-called regular version of the WBA belt, while Britain’s Tyson Fury is considered the WBA’s “unified” champion, since he also holds the WBO version.

Browne’s title promised much with the prospect of potential mega-fights against Fury and David Haye now very much in doubt.

The boxer responded to the news on Twitter and said he did not understand it.

Only hours before the ESPN report was released, Browne had an exchange with a fan on Twitter claiming that ‘less junk food’ was the reason for his weight loss. He also said that he made sure he was tested in Chechnya.

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