The 36-year-old was bravery and determination personified as he bounced back from a sixth round knockdown to end the fight in spectacular fashion.
Browne travelled to the Chechen capital of Grozny as a huge underdog, but despite some torrid moments, he never let the occasion get to him.
Early on, Browne showed a different side to his game as he boxed well behind his jab and deftly swerved Chagaev’s swinging left hands.
However, the Uzbek turned things in his favour in the sixth when he detonated a right followed by a heavy left which left Browne with his back on the canvas.
Browne, bleeding profusely from cuts over his left eye and the centre of his forehead, battled through the subsequent storm before a miraculous turn around made him Australia’s first ever world heavyweight champion.
With Chagaev stalking, Browne unleashed a devastating right hand to send the defending champion to the apron. Chagaev got to his feet quickly, but he didn’t appear to know where he was and Browne stormed in a two-fisted attack which forced the intervention of referee Stanley Christodoulou.
“I’m so proud to have won this title for Australia. Obviously, I can improve, but I showed that my heart and power can never be questioned,” Browne said.
“I’m thrilled to have made history. It was a big step up, but I got the win and I thank everyone for the support. Words can’t describe how I feel right now.”
Editor’s note: Lucas Browne now faces a mandatory contest against Fres Oquendo before a shot at the winner of the semi-finals between Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Luis Ortiz and Alexander Ustinov. (see picture)
