Dillian Whyte producing a chilling knockout finish in his best performance to date when he ended the hopes and probably the career of Aussie tough man Lucas Browne in their clash at London’s O2 arena.
Fabulous support for Whyte proves his growing popularity, even after his only loss to fellow Londoner World Champion Anthony Joshua, and a rematch between the two looks a distinct possibility should Joshua prevail in his unification with Joseph Parker this weekend, Saturday March 31.
The writing for Lucas Browne looked on the wall as early as the pre-fight announcements, as he stood rigidly still glaring forlornly at the floor in rather pathetic physical condition for a former world champion with alleged aspirations of big time heavyweight boxing.
The usual entourage of a travelling undefeated former champion was nowhere to be seen, and even Browne’s promoter the British boxing legend Ricky Hatton was not working his corner which begged the question of the Aussies motivation at 38 years of age.
It was a lacklustre start for both fighters as they looked respectful of each other in the opening round, however it was Whyte who got centre ring and was first to gain control from behind his solid jab and occasional stiff right hand punch.
In the second round the fight started to warm up as Whyte looked to unload switching punches from head to body, looking sharp and accurate as he drew first blood from Browne who bizarrely looked to try and box and move with hands held ridiculously low for a big man with little in the way of a reflex type defence.
The fight started to open up in the third and fourth rounds as Whyte, growing in confidence let more and more combinations go following the instructions and fight plan of excellent young trainer Mark Tibbs, and was now looking a much improved version of the wild swinging hot head we are used to seeing.
Browne did have the rare success and occasionally landed with a hard lunging punch but Whyte was never under any sustained threat and piece by blood stained piece was taking the big Aussie apart.
Patience and thought were working well for Whyte who used his jab and hard right to punch by punch knock the resistance out of Browne, before letting go with a massive left hook that sent him crashing to the floor face first for a worrying and dramatic knockout.
It was a long anxious wait as paramedics gave oxygen and much needed medical attention to Browne before the he rose to his feet with the help of boxing and medical officials to a welcome cheer from the crowd, allowing Whyte to finally celebrate his excellent win in well earned fashion.
Lucas Browne then went to hospital where he was checked and cleared of any lasting damage thankfully, as Dillian Whyte was left to reflect on a career best performance and the possibility of a lucrative and well earned challenge as number one official contender to undefeated WBC and heavyweight number 1 the Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder.
What a difference a day makes.