Lucas Browne fails drugs test for second time in eight months

Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne (24-0, 21 KOs) has failed a drugs test for the second time in eight months.

The 37-year-old Browne, who was due to fight American Shannon Briggs for the vacant WBA heavyweight title before the end of the year, tested positive for the banned substance ostarine - which is used to aid muscle recovery - following a recent test in his native Australia by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association as part of the WBC's Clean Boxing Program.

Browne won the WBA title in March, when he scored a 10th-round knockout over Ruslan Chagaev in Russia. But was then stripped of the belt following a positive test for clenbuterol after the fight.

He was suspended for six months by the WBA and the title was returned to Chagaev, although the governing body subsequently ruled it was "unlikely" Browne deliberately took a performance-enhancing substance.

The belt became vacant in July when Chagaev was stripped for his failure to pay sanctioning fees to the WBA.

Browne's latest failed drug test will likely end his chances to fight for the world title and put his career in jeopardy.