In early 2016, in Grozny, Chechnya, there was a world title fight. This is the story of that fight. The World Champion That Never Was takes you to one of the world’s most dangerous cities, for the clash between the vastly experienced, intimidating champion, Ruslan Chagaev, and the underdog, Lucas Browne, an Australian with only twenty-three fights to his professional boxing career. From Lucas Browne’s corner, be witness to the drama as Lucas is knocked down in the sixth round, and then as he makes Australian sporting history – but more is to come. Drug-tested before the fight and given the all clear, only to be tested positive after the fight – for a drug that could not have influenced the outcome but is nevertheless banned – Lucas is ultimately denied the title. The World Champion That Never Was shows that anything can happen in the rollercoaster world of championship boxing … and does.
Lucas Browne is a 115 kilogram heavyweight boxer who at thirty-six has entered his mid-ages for a heavyweight fighter. However, Lucas is new to professional boxing, having come from the Cage Fighting Championship. A larger than life character, tattooed, urbane and charismatic, he is a showman, always optimistic and upbeat. In the ring, Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne is the one-time Commonwealth heavyweight champion and in this book, challenger for the WBA world title. Graham Clark accompanied Lucas Browne and his team to Chechnya for the world title bout and is telling the story from being part of the team.
