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Q&A: Lucas Browne

Fighters Network
30
Jul
Lucas Brown (R) battling James Toney to a unanimous-decision win in 2013. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Lucas Brown (R) battling James Toney to a unanimous-decision win in 2013. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

On Friday evening Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne will take on Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Rudenko at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England.

Between them they boast a hulking 44-0 record, with 34 knockouts.

Promoted by Ricky Hatton and trained by hall of famer Jeff Fenech, the 35-year old Browne (20-0, 18 KOs) will be fighting in the U.K. for the fifth time. He says he has seen his opponent on YouTube and describes him as “a small Klitschko-style fighter.”

Rudenko has gone only eight rounds up until now but this will be the fourth 12-rounder for Browne, whose first was a unanimous decision over James Toney last year.



As well as Brown-Rudenko the Queensbury Promotions card is headlined by local British and commonwealth champion Frankie Gavin, who will look to win the European title from grizzled veteran Leonard Bundu. The event will be live in the U.K. on BoxNation starting at 7 p.m.

Anson Wainwright – You face unbeaten Andriy Rudenko on Friday, what are your thoughts on that fight?

Lucas Browne – I’ve seen him on YouTube and think he’s a small Klitschko-style fighter. He’s very straightforward and likes pushing the pace. It should be interesting.

AW – How do you feel you’ve developed over the past few years?

LB – I’ve trained myself for a while now so I’ve done very well on my own I think. I’ve hooked up with Jeff Fenech recently so I’m improving tenfold.

AW – How has it been working with someone as highly thought of as Jeff Fenech?

LB – Jeff thinks I will be a world champion, he believes in my ability. Unfortunately he won’t be coming to this fight due to previous engagements which can’t be avoided.

AW – Only two opponents have gone the distance with you, one of them was former three-weight world champion James Toney. You fought him in early 2013. How did that experience help you?

LB – I was a little gun-shy against Toney just because he was who he was. I should’ve finished him when I had the chance late in the fight but didn’t. It was a good fight and showed that I could go 12 [rounds].

AW – How is it being aligned with Ricky Hatton now?

LB – It’s great. The exposure has been great from Ricky Hatton. The British and Irish fans have been exceptional. I enjoy boxing over there and I look forward to continuing my winning streak in the U.K.!

AW – You were born in Auburn, Australia, can you tell us about your early years growing up?

LB – I’m a Granville boy through and through and was almost the only white boy surrounded by Lebanese and Islanders. It was a really good childhood filled with good memories and some hard experiences.

AW – What are your thoughts on the heavyweight division today?

LB – I’m capitalizing on the fact that there aren’t a massive amount of quality heavyweights out there at the moment.

AW – There would appear to be some interesting fights with the likes of Alex Leapai, Kali Meehan, Solomon Haumono and even Joseph Parker. All of which would be big money fights for you in your region, are they fights that you are looking at?

LB – I’m not sure about big money fights, I haven’t seen any of those yet but it will be a great opportunity to show the Aussie public who is the most dominant heavyweight at the moment.

AW – You didn’t come to professional boxing until just before your 30th birthday. Why did it take that long?

LB – I saw an opportunity to finally try boxing out and wanted to do it before it was too late. I’ve done OK so far.

AW – Tell us about yourself as person, what do you enjoy doing away from boxing?

LB – I enjoy quiet time, music, and laughter.

AW – What are your goals in boxing?

LB – To make some money so I don’t have to keep wondering where my rent is going to come from and so I don’t have to keep borrowing money.

AW – In closing do you have a message for the heavyweight division?

LB – I’m coming!

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright

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