Lucas Browne's promoters have said they are 'hugely disappointed' after the Australian heavyweight returned his second positive drugs test of the year.
Browne tested positive for banned substance ostarine, used to aid muscle recovery, seven months after he tested positive for clenbuterol following his win over Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan in March.
He was later cleared after claiming his food was deliberately contaminated, and Hatton Promotions say his recent failed test should not call the exoneration into question.
The boxer volunteered for the test as part of the World Boxing Council's (WBC) Clean Boxing Program.
He had been due to fight Shannon Briggs for the World Boxing Association's (WBA) 'regular' title before the end of 2016.
"Clearly the test results are hugely disappointing for the company and for Lucas himself," the statement from Hatton Promotions read.
"For a man and a team who fought so hard to clear his name following what is now universally accepted to have been a deliberate contamination of products he ingested prior to his March fight with Ruslan Chagaev, this is a bitter blow.
"Lucas was cleared of any deliberate wrongdoing a few months ago and we feel it would be somewhat unfair and incorrect for anyone to suggest that the results of his latest test bring the outcome of his previous exoneration into question."
"Even though he has no WBC ranking to protect and is in a position for a mandatory WBA world title fight, Lucas entered the WBC Clean Boxing Program voluntarily.
"We do not feel that is the action of a man who wishes to intentionally take performance enhancing drugs."
Article courtesy of Daily Mail
Browne tested positive for banned substance ostarine, used to aid muscle recovery, seven months after he tested positive for clenbuterol following his win over Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan in March.
He was later cleared after claiming his food was deliberately contaminated, and Hatton Promotions say his recent failed test should not call the exoneration into question.
The boxer volunteered for the test as part of the World Boxing Council's (WBC) Clean Boxing Program.
He had been due to fight Shannon Briggs for the World Boxing Association's (WBA) 'regular' title before the end of 2016.
"Clearly the test results are hugely disappointing for the company and for Lucas himself," the statement from Hatton Promotions read.
"For a man and a team who fought so hard to clear his name following what is now universally accepted to have been a deliberate contamination of products he ingested prior to his March fight with Ruslan Chagaev, this is a bitter blow.
"Lucas was cleared of any deliberate wrongdoing a few months ago and we feel it would be somewhat unfair and incorrect for anyone to suggest that the results of his latest test bring the outcome of his previous exoneration into question."
"Even though he has no WBC ranking to protect and is in a position for a mandatory WBA world title fight, Lucas entered the WBC Clean Boxing Program voluntarily.
"We do not feel that is the action of a man who wishes to intentionally take performance enhancing drugs."
Article courtesy of Daily Mail
Subscribe to the Ringside Reporter
