Browne Reportedly Fails Second Drug Test

World heavyweight title contender Lucas Browne has reportedly failed a drug test for the second time. The Australian, who is due to fight for the vacant WBA interim title against American Shannon Briggs,is said to have recently tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine(also known as Enobsarm). The test was said to have been conducted in Australia by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association as part of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program.

Ostarine (also called enobosarm), is supposedly designed to increase stamina and recovery from workout quickly.

"We have been notified by VADA about Browne’s adverse finding as he was tested under the CBP," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told ESPN on Monday. "He has been notified, and the process is being attended as per the protocol."

According to ESPN, Browne nor his manager Matt Clarke declined to comment instead referring any questions to Browne’s Lawyer.

Back in July Browne signed up to the WBC’s new Clean Boxing Program, a scheme in which boxers can be tested for banned substances during any time during a 365 day period. Browne tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol after defeating Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA interim title in Grozny, Russia, on March 5.

Both Browne’s A and B samples after the fight were positive, and he was suspended for six months by the WBA and stripped of the title but the crown became vacant in July, when Chagaev was stripped for his failure to pay sanctioning fees to the WBA.

A date had not been officially set but the 37 year-old Australian, 24-0-(21), was due to fight Briggs, 60-6-1-(53), for the WBA interim title before December 31 with the winner defending against American Fres Oquendo with 120 days of the fight. Quite where this leaves the heavyweight title scene at this time is unclear.

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November 22, 2016