First Lucas Browne. Now Alexander Povetkin. Who next?

Browne, the heavyweight contender from Australia, tested positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol after he stopped Ruslan Chagaev to win a secondary WBA title on March 5. Povetkin tested positive for another banned substance, meldonium, which forced the postponement of his May 21 fight against WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder.

THE RING had indicated it would wait to see how Browne’s situation played out after Francisco Vargas tested positive for the same substance. The fighters were allowed to remain in the RING Ratings while the powers that be worked out the complicated issue of clenbuterol contamination.

Well, one organization has acted. The WBA has stripped Browne of his title and suspended him for six months after his “B” sample tested positive.

THE RING will follow the WBA’s lead, per our policy, meaning Browne (rated No. 9 last week) has been removed from the ratings.

Now we must wait to see what the future holds for Povetkin (No. 2 last week), who reportedly hasn’t had his “B” sample tested yet. Povetkin also could be dropped from the heavyweight ratings.

Browne’s departure created an opening in the heavyweight Top 10. That has been filled by former titleholder David Haye, who enters at No. 10.

In other divisions:

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Mairis Briedis (No. 10 last week) swaps places with Victor Ramirez (No. 9 last week) after he stopped unrated Olanrewaju Durodola in nine rounds Saturday in Latvia.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT

Jack Catterall (No. 9 last week) holds his position after outpointing unrated Joe Hughes on Friday in Bolton, England.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT

Saul Rodriguez (No. 9 last week) stays put after he knocked out unrated Daulis Prescott in seven rounds Saturday in Studio City, California.

BANTAMWEIGHT

Lee Haskins (No. 6 last week) easily outpointed unrated Ivan Morales on Saturday in Wales. As a result, Haskins swaps places with Tomoki Kameda (No. 5 last week). Kameda is coming off back-to-back losses to Jamie McDonnell.

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