Wednesday 2 November 2016 18:43, UK
Lucas Browne says David Haye does not deserve a world title shot after the WBA confirmed the Australian will fight Shannon Briggs for its 'regular' heavyweight belt.
The undefeated 37-year-old was due to face Fres Oquendo for the vacant title, but the Puerto Rican has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and Browne will instead face Briggs, with a date and venue to be confirmed.
Browne stopped Ruslan Chagaev in March to win the belt only to be stripped for failing a drug test, but 'Big Daddy' was cleared after the governing body ruled it was "unlikely" he deliberately took performance-enhancing drugs.
Haye, who is ranked at No 6 by the WBA, was downbeat about his chances of fighting for the title and the 36-year-old could be made to wait even longer after the winner of Browne-Briggs was ordered to face Oquendo in a mandatory defence within 120 days.
Asked about Haye's hopes of a title shot, Browne exclusively told Sky Sports: "Coming off a two- to three-year lay-off and coming back fighting two bums basically, how does that get you No 1 ranked in all three belts and then a world title shot by fighting two people that aren't ranked and no one knows?
"I don't think he deserves anything, no."
Briggs recently claimed Haye had "backed out" of an expected fight and Browne echoed his views, suggesting that the American was "too dangerous" an opponent for the Londoner.
I believe he has ducked him because he's too dangerous, but here I am fighting Shannon Briggs now.
"Just in regards to the UK fans, it's good that I can actually fight someone like Shannon Briggs that David Haye has avoided," said Briggs.
"I know that David Haye said that if he did fight on his undercard and win, then he would fight him. I believe he has ducked him because he's too dangerous, but here I am fighting Shannon Briggs now.
"From my point of view, I think it's going to be an all-out war, two big boys, ready to bang and stand there, to give the crowd a good fight."
Browne expects to face Briggs before the end of the year and admits a number of possible locations for the fight are being discussed, including Britain.
"As far as I'm aware, it has to be before December 31," said Browne, who is promoted by Ricky Hatton. "Other than that, it's all up in the air, obviously it's the first day.
"I would love to have it here in Australia. I've been speaking to Shannon as well and he has no problem with coming to Australia.
"The only thing obviously is the money value. We need someone to come across with some dollars to back it up. There still is the chance of it going to America, possibly UK, even China. There are a few options there."
You can listen to more of an exclusive interview with Lucas Browne on this week's Toe 2 Toe podcast.
