Matt Clark discusses Lucas Browne’s road to Ruslan Chagaev

 
LUCAS Browne’s title attempt will be the culmination of a four year journey under the guidance of Matt Clark.

 
The hulking heavyweight signed with Clark on the eve of his Australian title challenge against Colin Wilson in 2012 – which he subsequently won via violent third round knockout – and the likeable giant hasn’t looked back since.

 
Speaking from their Grozny base, Clark reflects on Browne’s stirring title journey with great pride.

 
“The journey has been epic to say the least,” said Clark in an interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“Lucas has gone from (winning) the Australian title, to signing with an overseas promoter, to becoming the first Australian in 122 years to win the Commonwealth title, to now fighting for the world title,”

 
“What he has accomplished has been nothing short of phenomenal.”

 
The Ipswich-based Clark, who forms one half of fledgling entity Xcite Fight Promotions alongside Brendan Bourke, cites a conversation with hard-hitting US heavyweight Travis Walker as a memorable chapter in the Lucas Browne story.

 
Browne, 36, recovered from a first round knockdown to dispose of the lumbering American in seven rounds.

 
Clark, 34, remembers a brief conversation with Walker, which to this day, still resonates with him.

 
“Travis Walker once told me, ‘When I look at Lucas on tape I see flaws, then I think about what I’m going to do. That all goes out the window when he hits you. You forget everything’. His power is just something different,”

 
“Once he has you hurt, you’re out of there. He has an enormous heart so he makes for very entertaining fights,”

 
“What I think makes him extra special is that he’s articulate and conveys himself well while speaking,” Clark added. “We don’t always see that in our athletes.”

 
For most, Browne appeared to reach his ceiling in terms of potential when he lifted the national title. In the time that has passed, Browne has continued to collect titles, including a historic Commonwealth title strap.

 
In a time where Australian has endured a barren run abroad, Clark believes his fighter has been a standout.

 
“Without a shadow of a doubt, his rise has been meteoric,” he continued.

 
“Like I said, Australia’s first Commonwealth heavyweight champion in 122 years,”

 
“If it was easy, there wouldn’t be such a gap,”

 
“He’s the only Australian boxer that consistently wins away from home. That being said, he has a lot of support from home and I think there’s a lot of interest in his world title fight this Sunday morning.”

 
It goes without saying that Browne has been expertly guided by his managerial team, including his promoters, Hatton Promotions. When pressed on their working relationship, Clark couldn’t fault the company.

 
“They’ve been fantastic to deal with,” said Clark on the relationship with Hatton Promotions,”

 
“We signed right after Lucas won the Australian title and haven’t looked back since,”

 
“Lucas has been presented with opportunities that he’s taken with both hands. I couldn’t fault them if I tried.”

 
In Chagaev (34-2-1, 21 KOs), Browne is facing a fighter that hasn’t lost for the best part of five years. Having reached the divisions summit on more than one occasion, Clark isn’t downplaying the Chagaev’s ability.

 
“Ruslan Chagaev is one of the top three heavyweights of the decade. He’s an aggressive come forward fighter who delivers that left hand in a variety of ways,”

 
“I think there are certain aspects of his style that Lucas can exploit,” Clark concluded.

 
“He’s hittable and susceptible to a right hand, which is Lucas’ best shot.”

 
“We’re happy and ready to have Lucas become Australia’s first ever heavyweight world champion.”

 
 
Photo: Damian Brierty/Visual Delight