Lucas Browne stripped of WBA title

Lucas Browne has been stripped of his WBA heavyweight title after his 'B' sample tested positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol.

Browne failed a drug test after stopping Ruslan Chagaev in March in Russia to become Australia's first heavyweight world champion.

Now the result of the fight will be changed to a no-contest and he will be suspended for six months after both his 'A'and 'B' samples tested positive for the steroid. However, other sanctioning bodies do not have to recognize his suspension.

The WBA said that after Browne’s suspension is over his status will be reconsidered, depending on whether or not he intends to return to the ring.

In the meantime, Chagaev will have 120 days to negotiate a fight with Fres Oquendo, who he beat by majority decision in July 2014.

The winner of that bout will fight for the belt against the winner of  Luis Ortiz-Alexander Ustinov, who meet on a date to be determined in August or September.