Whyte set to mix it with Browne in March
Dto challenge honours. WBC titlist Deontay Wilder and old rival Anthony Joshua, the IBF and WBA champion, are the obvious targets, but Whyte is not underestimating his Australian foe with whom he has traded online barbs.
The 29-year-old Briton, who will be putting his number one ranking with the WBC on the line, said: “I can’t wait, I hate Lucas Browne and I want to hurt for world him. He’s said some nasty things and he’s going to have to pay for them.
“I’m not overlooking Browne, I’m focused on going to town on him.
“If I don’t knock him out, I will not be happy.
“The plan is to beat Browne and move closer to a world title shot.
“Beating him should make me a mandatory challenger for a world title - I’m highly ranked across the board, I’ll be a more than credible world title challenger. I’ve been building my way up so we’re set for a big year.”
Whyte improved his professional record to 22 wins from 23 fights, with 16KOs, in a humdrum points victory over Robert Helenius in Cardiff in October.
Both Whyte and Browne have served suspensions for doping offences in the past, the latter stripped of his WBA title after he tested positive for a banned substance in his victory over Ruslan Chagaev in March 2016. The 38-year-old was most recently in action last June as he stopped the unheralded Matthew Greer and spoke dismissively of Whyte as he aims to bolster his own world title ambitions.
Browne (25-0, 22KOs) said: “I don’t like anything about him.
“He’s a loud mouth and I want to take his head off. I know if I stop Whyte impressively I’ll be getting another world title shot.”