LUCAS BROWNE has vowed to ‘clear his name’ after reports emerged yesterday stating he failed a postfight drug test after his win over Ruslan Chagaev earlier this month.
ESPN report that Browne tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol in a urine test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
The Australian has since issued a statement in which he vehemently denies taking any banned substances.
“I would like to assure all my fans, the whole of the boxing world and all of Australia that I am not a drug user or a drug cheat,” it read.
“The news of this positive test has shocked and devastated me, and I will be fighting for as long as it takes to clear my name.
“Prior to today I had not heard of the drug clenbuterol and had no idea what it was used for. I am now aware it is essentially a weight-stripping drug, and as a heavyweight boxer the idea of me using it is utterly ridiculous. I am a staunch long-time opponent of any drug use, performance-enhancing or otherwise.
“My team and I were well aware of the many risks involved in going to a place like Chechnya [in Russia] to fight a reigning champion [Chagaev held the WBA ‘regular’ world heavyweight title], and believed we had taken sufficient precautions. In addition it was at our insistence that the VADA testing was implemented for the fight.”
Browne’s promoter, Ricky Hatton, is standing firmly behind him. A statement from Hatton Promotions said: “Ricky Hatton and Hatton Promotions were made aware on Monday night that Lucas Browne delivered a positive A sample drug test following his world title win over Ruslan Chagaev.
“We believe strongly that boxing should be free from performance enhancing drugs. We believe Lucas Browne to be a clean athlete who arrived in Chechnya a clean athlete.
“We are therefore conducting our own further investigation and cannot comment further at this time.”
