Lucas Browne now fighting Julius Long - Melbourne - August 14th

[Redback Rasta]

According to Lucas Browne's twitter he has a new opponent for August 14th - Argentinian Icho Larenas 15-3.

[Redback Rasta]

I wonder what happened to Gonzalo Omar Basile?

Perhaps the fight clashed with his next tattoo appointment.

Short notice for his replacement Larenas. Hope his passport is in order.

[Redback Rasta]

The tattooed monster Gonzalo Basile got cold feet according to Lucas Browne's manager >>>

Browne faces big-punching Larenas following Basile withdrawal

CANADIAN MMA star turned boxer Icho "The Bulldog" Larenas has stepped in to face Lucas Browne at The Melbourne Pavilion next Friday (August 14) following the withdrawal of Gonzalo Basile.

With Browne on the verge of a WBA world title shot, the fight is a potential banana skin and some would argue that Larenas presents a greater challenge than that posed by Basile.

The Quebec-born former UFC participant has won 15 of 18 fights since swapping the Octagon for the square ring and 14 of his opponents have failed to hear the final bell.

"Nothing has changed from my perspective. I'm ready to do a job, get back in the ring and get this guy out of there...The same as every fight," Lucas, 22-0 (19 KOs), said.

"I've seen Larenas fight once or twice before in the UFC and on YouTube. He's an aggressive guy who comes out fast and aggressive. It might be a short night if he keeps that game plan.

"I don't like to leave it up to the judges. I'm the hardest hitting heavyweight in the world and I look forward to putting on a good show."

Matt Clark, Browne's manager, believes Basille's withdrawal came due to "cold feet" rather than an injury, but he's confident that his man will not be affected by the late notice change of opponent.

"Basile quite clearly thought twice about coming over here to face Browne," he explained. "Everything was agreed by all parties but what can I say? He got cold feet, simple as that.

"Lucas remains as the mandatory challenger to the winner between Chagaev and Oquendo. We've also told Deontay Wilder's team that we are open to offers to have Lucas challenge Deontay for his WBC title. The line must have been crackling with static because there's been no reply!"

Next Friday's bill will see Browne make the second defence of his WBA Intercontinental crown. The show is promoted by Brian Amatruda and will broadcast free to air across Australia on Channel 9.

http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2015/...ile-withdrawal

[Gnome]

Yeesh, that's pretty ordinary. The guy's last seven opponents had ONE win between them!! What is it with Australians and wanting to fight lads from Argentina (and I don't mean Martinez, Maidana or Matthysse!). Ah well, a slug out might appeal to the Channel 9 casual viewers and create a bit more interest in Big Daddy.

[buster007]

dodges haumono who has said he'd fight him, and instead goes and fights this guy.

c'mon dude the team can come up with better than this surely.

[Gnome]

dodges haumono who has said he'd fight him, and instead goes and fights this guy.

c'mon dude the team can come up with better than this surely.

Haumono is a dangerous opponent and to be honest I don't blame Browne for ducking a guy who was better than his original opponent at the last minute. Remember how he knocked out Kyotaro Fujimoto (WBC #15 )!

[lowlefthand]

Yeesh, that's pretty ordinary. The guy's last seven opponents had ONE win between them!!

I knew he was ordinary with a boxrec ranking of 375, but that stat is pretty crazy for his fights 12-18.

[Francis75]

Larenas wins by KO.

[Redback Rasta]

Yeesh, that's pretty ordinary. The guy's last seven opponents had ONE win between them!!

I knew he was ordinary with a boxrec ranking of 375, but that stat is pretty crazy for his fights 12-18.

People have every right to be disappointed with Browne's replacement opponent, but remember this fight was arranged on about 14 days notice after the first guy pulled the pin (and yes I realize the first guy wasn't much chop either.

Browne just needs a fight to blow some cobwebs off before taking on Chaegev. It is far from ideal, but it is what it is.

[Ananablu]

Browne will win before 5...

[Redback Rasta]

Browne will win before 5...

Was watching a couple of Larenas' fights and I get the feeling he will piss Lucas off pretty quickly. He is a wild man who swings haymakers and is pretty liberal with his head and elbows.

Lucas will want to ensure Larenas doesn't re-open the scar tissue from his head clash with Bahoeli - the last thing he needs is another busted eye with his title fight against Chaegev coming up.

Lucas' safest bet would be getting Larenas out of there quickly and I think he'll do just that.

[DA GOOSE]

dodges haumono who has said he'd fight him, and instead goes and fights this guy.

c'mon dude the team can come up with better than this surely.

Haumono is a dangerous opponent and to be honest I don't blame Browne for ducking a guy who was better than his original opponent at the last minute. Remember how he knocked out Kyotaro Fujimoto (WBC #15 )!

Haumono has fought once since October 2013 against this guy.

http://boxrec.com/boxer/521751

Browne would gain as much from fighting Larenas as Haumono(not much but still the same).

[buster007]

haha!

sure.

[DA GOOSE]

dodges haumono who has said he'd fight him, and instead goes and fights this guy.

c'mon dude the team can come up with better than this surely.

Haumono is a dangerous opponent and to be honest I don't blame Browne for ducking a guy who was better than his original opponent at the last minute. Remember how he knocked out Kyotaro Fujimoto (WBC #15 )!

And there in lies the problem since then Fujimoto has gone on to be higher ranked than Haumono. Shows how Solo has wasted his potential. Sad.

[Like a Boss]

Haumono could potentially have provided Browne with a contest. This guy Larenas doesn't look capable of doing that.

[DA GOOSE]

Haumono could potentially have provided Browne with a contest. This guy Larenas doesn't look capable of doing that.

Can't argue with that but he's unranked(same as Larenas)but a much more dangerous proposition. So for TV Browne is taking on a less dangerous opponent who has won his last 9 fights(against cans but the casuals won't know that)and not risk his shot against Chagaev(bar a lucky punch).

[Like a Boss]

Haumono could potentially have provided Browne with a contest. This guy Larenas doesn't look capable of doing that.

Can't argue with that but he's unranked(same as Larenas)but a much more dangerous proposition. So for TV Browne is taking on a less dangerous opponent who has won his last 9 fights(against cans but the casuals won't know that)and not risk his shot against Chagaev(bar a lucky punch).

Larenas at 34 is a very basic brawler who dines out on opponents who have never won a fight. An even reasonably prepared Haumono would beat him easily.

[Like a Boss]

Browne will likely blast Larenas out in about 3 rounds. Hopefully by doing so on FTA TV he will pick up some new fans and get some additional media attention.

[buster007]

browne will have to carry him for him to make 3 rounds.

[Redback Rasta]

Browne, or more correctly his management, just want a minimum risk, minimum fuss fight here. They are firmly focused on his world title tilt and don't want to jeopardize it in any way. Solomon Haumono could have provided a little bit more risk than they are prepared to take.

[Brute]

Browne, or more correctly his management, just want a minimum risk, minimum fuss fight here. They are firmly focused on his world title tilt and don't want to jeopardize it in any way. Solomon Haumono could have provided a little bit more risk than they are prepared to take.

Solo has not done much lately. Nobody really wants to fight Browne.

[Redback Rasta]

Browne, or more correctly his management, just want a minimum risk, minimum fuss fight here. They are firmly focused on his world title tilt and don't want to jeopardize it in any way. Solomon Haumono could have provided a little bit more risk than they are prepared to take.

Solo has not done much lately. Nobody really wants to fight Browne.

Sounds like Browne's original opponent Basille didn't want to fight him according to Browne's manager Matt Clark. "Cold feet"

[buster007]

Nobody really wants to fight Browne?

huh!

name some who don't.

[buster007]

redback,

he's just talking up his fighter.

it sounds better when u put that spin on it too.

[Redback Rasta]

Larenas isn't coming either apparently and 5 days out from headlining a televised card Lucas Browne doesn't have an opponent.