LUCAS Browne has made a remarkable fighting career out of embracing power. He says the key to success in the biggest fight of his life tomorrow is to avoid it. 
Browne, a former Sydney bouncer and suit salesman, has clothed himself with a fearsome reputation as he tries to become the first Australian to win a world heavyweight crown. He faces Ruslan Chagaev, the World Boxing Association champion, at the Colosseum Sport Hall in Grozny, Chechnya, in a fight being televised by Main Event.
Browne, 36, is unbeaten in 23 fights, has scored 20 knockouts and at 196cm towers over the 180cm Uzbekistan-born champ.
But "Big Daddy:" Browne says he will not go headhunting early in the fight; instead he will be doing his best to avoid Chagaev's murderous southpaw left hand.
The world champ, who turned pro after the Sydney Olympics, won his last fight, in   July, with a stunning KO over the Italian Francesco Pianeta, another giant with an imposing record.
Pianeta was down within the first 90 seconds and out within the first round. "I'm sure Chagaev will come after me looking to do the same," Browne said. "I know that once I get through the first three or four rounds my power can take over. Early in the fight I think my movement is going to be the key." Browne says he and trainer Rodney Williams have concentrated on fitness and fluidity for their challenge.
In 2014 Browne became the first Australian since Brisbane hero Peter Jackson 122 years earlier to win the Commonwealth heavyweight title and despite the 3-1 odds against him says he is hitting Chagaev at precisely the right moment.
"Chagaev is 37 now and he has a lot of miles on the clock. He's been fighting at a very high level since well before the Sydney Olympics while I have had a relatively brief fighting career by comparison. I feel fresh and fit and strong and ready to make history." Browne has fought five times in Britain and victory tomorrow will put him in line for multimillion-dollar fights with English stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
"I think Lucas has a good chance (against Chagaev). He's the younger man," Fury said.
"He's fresher. He is unbeaten and he's a knockout artist."Main Event: 6.30am (Qld time)