WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne has once more protested his innocence against doping and revealed he returned a negative drugs test six days before his victory over Ruslan Chagaev.

The 36-year-old Australian tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol after defeating Chagaev in Grozny, Chechnya this month to win the WBA belt.

Browne said he was "shocked and devastated" and vowed to clear his name following the news of the positive test.

And he released a statement through Hatton promotions, which read: "I made it clear to the public last week that I intended to do all that I can to clear my name after the devastating news of the positive drugs test following my successful defeat of Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA Heavyweight World Championship.

"I am now able to report to you that on February 29th shortly after arriving in Chechnya I was subjected to a randomly timed drugs test by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association]. This was a test of blood and urine. The post-fight test was a urine only test.

"I would like to again stress it was myself and my team who requested the bout be subject to VADA testing.

"I now hold clear and unequivocal evidence that this was a negative test and shows clearly that I arrived in Chechnya a clean athlete. Hatton Promotions have made this information available to the media.

"My team's investigations will now concentrate on the period of time between the clean test on 29 February and the fight itself on March 5.

"I maintain that I did not knowingly consume any banned substance, including the clenbuterol found in my system at that time.

"I will continue to do all that I can to clear my name."