Browne vs Chagaev
March 5th
If you’ve been checking in at Boxing Base this week, you’re already aware that Lucas Browne’s dramatic victory over Ruslan Chagaev has been heavily tainted after testing positive for a banned substance. It is what it is, and boxing – like all sports – is no stranger to this kind of doping scandal. Browne and promoter Ricky Hatton – of Hatton Promotions – is now considering legal action and will be conducting an in-house investigation.
If we can remove ourselves from the ‘what happened next’ for a moment, the actual fight itself was an absorbing, fan-friendly war. Browne, who had plenty of naysayers clinging to his back prior, was taken into the trenches against experienced operator Chagaev, climbing off the deck in the 6th round to rally back and conclusively score a TKO. Browne showed some vulnerability that night, but more importantly shook up the Heavyweight division, capturing Chagaev’s WBA world title in the procechss.
But then ‘that thing happened’. So, will Browne be finally entering the Boxing Base Heavyweight Top 10? My gut answer – without having yet discussed the topic with the panel – would be a no at this point. I’m happy to give Browne the benefit of the doubt while he contests his innocence but, right now, a failed test is a failed test. Browne is an exciting, likable warrior and, for what it’s worth, I hope he really is as squeaky clean as he claims to be.
Browne, with the win valid on his record at this moment in time, stands at 24 wins, no losses, 21 knockouts, while seasoned Chagaev drops to 34 wins, no losses, 1 draw, 21 knockouts.
Ortiz vs Thompson
March 5th
Heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz impressed when he took apart Tony Thompson inside 6 rounds. Not that Thompson is considered a threat among boxing’s big men, but due to the fact that Ortiz brought ‘The Tiger’ down in such devastating fashion, dropping him three times via monster left hands. Ortiz deserved an upgrade in opponent since crushing Bryant Jennings last December, but, for whatever reason, Thompson found himself stepping up to the plate.
Personally, I think there’s a lot of big Heavyweight names out there who just don’t want anything to do with Ortiz. Which is probably the reason why we had to settle for Ortiz vs Thompson. It’s also true that Ortiz isn’t anywhere near to becoming a marquee name yet – certainly not with casual fans – and so it could be one of those ‘don’t make money, don’t make sense’ things. It’s boxing.
Anyway, Ortiz continued to look like the merciless bad ass we’ve all come to know, and that’s a good thing for the division. While Ortiz is arguably one of the most avoided fighters in boxing, it’s hopefully only a matter of time before champions such as Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury have to pay him some attention.
With Ortiz now 37-years-old, the clock is certainly ticking for the Cuban bogeyman. So if ever there was a time to start saying controversial stuff and stalking the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder to make a name for himself, now is that time. It worked for Fury and David Haye, didn’t it?
While big fights for Ortiz may be uncertain, the Heavyweight division is all the more richer with ‘King Kong’ in the frame. Ortiz now rises to 25 wins, no losses, 22 knockouts, with veteran Thompson falling to 40 wins, 7 defeats, 27 knockouts.
Chime in with your own take on Ortiz vs Thompson and Browne vs Chagaev in the comments.
