WBA regular heavyweight champion of the world Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1, 21KOs) of Russia will take on his mandatory unbeaten challenger Lucas Browne (23-0, 20KOs) of Australia this Saturday. The main event will take place at the Coliseum Sport Hall, in Grozny, Russia. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds with Chagaev’s world title at stake. The show will be aired in the United States on AWE. The card will be promoted by Promoted by Timur Dugazaev (Akhmat Box Promotion).
Browne has waited patiently for his opportunity. There were a few delays but he will get his long awaited chance on Saturday. He has been very active on social networks and will now be able to show that he rates to hold the crown. His list of opponents doesn’t really have any stand out names but he did what he was suppose to do by decisively defeating them. Chagaev will be by far the toughest challenge he has had in his professional career.
Chagaev won his current title by outpointing Fres Oquendo by majority decision in 2014. Chagaev entered that fight having not in 9 months. He jumped out to an early lead but held off a late rally by Oquendo to win the vacant WBA regular world title. He has only had one fight since then and that was a first round KO of Francisco Pianeta.
Browne and Chagaev each have only fought once in 2015 so there is no activity edge for either guy. Oquendo could have actually won the fight with Chagaev had he started out earlier with his punch volume. The fight was scored very fairly. This should be a confidence booster for Browne knowing he doesn’t have to press to get knockout. Browne is also striving to become his country’s first heavyweight champion of the world. Chagaev on his second title reign surely wants to retain his title and be part of some very lucrative fights suddenly now in abundance in the heavyweight division. Saturday will reveal which guy wants it more.
