Australia's first ever heavyweight champion, Lucas Browne, passed a polygraph test regarding his use of banned substances before his victory over WBA regular champion Ruslan Chagaev.
Browne has vocally maintained his innocence since testing positive for clenbuterol in March. According to Hatton Promotions, 'Big Daddy' took a lie detector test on Friday which he passed with flying colours - this of course would suggest that Browne did not knowingly or intentionally use the banned, fat-burning substance.
I am pleased that the polygraph test confirmed that I am telling the truth. The result is not a surprise to me as I have always said I am a clean athlete, I know I arrived in Grozny a clean athlete and I know I did nothing wrong when I was there,
Browne said.
It should never be forgotten that I requested the VADA testing for the fight. Whilst the result is not a surprise to me, I consider this test another step towards proving my innocence. I remain grateful for the ongoing support of the public, my manager and my promoter. Together we are fighting this injustice.
Of course, passing a lie detector test doesn't mean the drug wasn't in Browne's system, but it's certainly an interesting attempt to clear his name - or, at least dispel the notion that he willingly took it.
Browne's promoter Ricky Hatton, who has also claimed Browne is innocent since the revelations first broke, said:
I have been saying since it happened I am 100 per cent behind Lucas. The whole thing just doesn’t stack up. The results of the lie detector test don’t surprise me at all. Lucas knows he didn’t do it, I know he didn’t do it and now we have a test conducted by experts that confirms he is telling the truth.
We will keep going and do all that we can do to prove his innocence. Matters are in the hands of the lawyers and the WBA. I and the whole of boxing hope they do the right thing by Lucas. Boxing needs that to happen to maintain its credibility. The public is behind Lucas because they know the truth as well.
The urine test was carried out by the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, with the results set out in an email from the organisation’s president, Dr Margaret Goodman.
This letter is to advise you that the ‘A’ sample urine specimen number 2998060 collected from Lucas Browne ... has been analyzed for anabolic agents, diuretics, beta-2 agonists and stimulants,
read the email.
The results of the analysis are as follows: Adverse. Urine specimen contains Clenbuterol.
Browne, a former nightclub bouncer, made Australian sporting history on 5 March when he stopped Chagaev in the 10th round in Grozny to claim one of three WBA heavyweight titles.
Hat-tip to the lads at BoxingNewsAndViews
