Lucas Browne announces shock split with trainer
THE latest chapter in the book of Lucas Browne has offered yet another twist.
On the back of his public campaign to face Kiwi rival Joseph Parker, Browne (29-2, 25 KOs) has announced an immediate end to his partnership with Perth-based trainer Jay Gray.
The 41-year-old was based out of the Bibra Lake facility for five fights, winning four low-profile bouts on the regional circuit, before a short-lived clash with fan favourite Dave Allen last April.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had to part ways with my trainer Jay Gray,” said Browne.
“The gym has closed up shop, and basically, he’s doing it out of his house. Long story short, we’re not working together anymore. There’s no dramas, shit has changed.”
Browne, a former holder of the WBA regular and Commonwealth heavyweight crowns, has now joined forces with world champion trainer Craig Christian — a move that has already galvanised his training regime.
“At this point of time in my life, obviously I’ve been there, done that for almost ten years,” Browne explained.
“I know how to punch, I know how to hit hard. It’s more about getting the body in the correct condition, getting the mind in the correct condition, and tweaking the little things that need to be tweaked.
“Over the last two days, I’ve trained with him (Christian), and it’s been very minor training, very minor adjustments, but the fitness has already skyrocketed. I’m doing things that I should’ve been doing from the beginning.”
Having missed out on a lucrative Trans-Tasman clash with former heavyweight titleholder Parker, Browne will adjust his focus to an eventual meeting with unbeaten Russian Apti Davtaev in the coming months.
Browne was slated to face Davtaev (20-0-1, 19 KOs) on March 29th in Las Vegas, before the boxing industry was locked down in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Moving forward, I’m looking very good at the future,” he concluded.
“I’m excited about what’s going to happen, and at this point, the USA will be opening back up again.
“We’re looking at August at this stage, it may change… for the original contract that I signed before the pandemic. I do have the contract, and it has been signed. It is going ahead, so I’m very excited.
“Myself and Parker is not on. I already have a contract with Showtime, I’ve already signed it, so that’s going first. We’ll see how it goes.
“If Fury and Wilder end up coming to Australia, I’d love to be on that card.”
Christian is widely regarded for his relationship with former WBA titleholder Chris John, who enjoyed a decade-long tenure as featherweight champion.
Photo: Getty Images
