Lucas Browne fails drug test after Ruslan Chagaev bout

WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne (24-0, 21 KOs) failed a post-fight drug test following his world title bout against Ruslan Chagaev on March 5.

Australian Browne, who stopped Chagaev in the 10th round to win the WBA title in Grozny, Russia, tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol in a urine test and could now be stripped of the belt and have the result of the fight changed to a no-decision.

"I would like to assure all fans, the whole of the boxing world and all of Australia that I am not a drug user or a drug cheat," said Browne.

"I will fight for as long as it takes to clear my name. I have never heard of the drug clenbuterol and had no idea what it is used for.
"I am now aware that it is essentially a weight-stripping drug and as a heavyweight boxer, the idea of me using it is utterly ridiculous.
"My team and I were well aware of the many risks involved in going to a place like Chechnya to fight a reigning champion and believed we had taken sufficient precautions.
"In addition, it was at our insistence that Vada [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association] testing was implemented for the fight."