Browne’s tactics change

Former world champ chases glory on the Coast

AUSTRALIA’S former world heavyweight boxing champion Lucas Browne has a new trainer and a renewed focus ahead of Friday night’s big fight on the Gold Coast against giant American Julius Long.

And he says a break from his British promoter Ricky Hatton will help him kickstart his way back to the top.

Browne, 39, has a big battle in more ways than one – Long is a whopping 216cm tall and 130kg. Power-puncher Browne stands 195cm and will come into the Convention Centre ring at Broadbeach at about 120kg.

It is a rematch of their 2015 brawl at the Melbourne Pavilion, when Long gave the former bouncer from Perth plenty of problems before losing in Round 9.

Browne (pictured) will go into the fight with Perth trainer Jay Gray in his corner, replacing Sydney’s Rodney Williams.

“I’ve decided to stay in Perth for my fight preparations now because it allows me to stay home with my family rather than spend weeks away,’’ he said. “It’s a much better situation.’’

Browne said his training revolved around a high level of fitness and “throwing punches in bunches’’.

He plans to regain his place as one of the world’s top heavyweights but said he had to score a few devastating wins and sever ties with Hatton, the blood and guts battler who punched Kostya Tszyu into retirement before becoming a leading manager.

“My deal with Hatton ends in January,’’ Browne said. “It started as a three-year deal and it became seven years. I want to do my own thing now. People think I should be a multimillionaire considering the big fights I’ve had but that is so far from the truth it’s not funny.”