It's been 14 years in the making but former WBA heavyweight world champion Lucas Browne is optimistic he will finally get the chance to go toe-to-toe with Sonny Bill Williams this September.
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Browne (31-5, 27KOs) will return to the ring on Sunday when he fights Kiwi Hemi Ahio (21-1, 16KOs), as part of the George Kambosos-Vasiliy Lomachenko undercard in Perth.
A sell-out crowd of about 16,000 fans are expected to attend the event at RAC Arena.
Browne declared he only has three more fights left in him and he wants to go out with a bang.
The 45-year-old hopes that path to retirement involves Williams, who made a name for himself as a superstar in both the NRL and with the All Blacks while also forging a boxing career.
In 2010, Browne was just one fight into his career when he first called out Williams (9-1, 4KOs).
The fight never got off the ground, but the stars look to be aligning for a showdown in Sydney in September.
"How good is that? We'd get some good Australia coverage, get a good fight, get a pay day, see you later," Browne told AAP.
"I speak to him all the time on social media. He's a lovely fella.
"Full respect both ways. All eyes would be on us, and that's what it would be about. Fingers crossed it will happen."
For now, Browne is fully focused on taking care of business on Sunday.
Browne knows time is ticking on his career and he wants to enjoy every moment.
He also wants to produce memorable shows for fans - much like he did in his fighting loss to Jarrell Miller last year.
"I've got about three fights left. I know this. I am 45, there's no hiding that," Browne said.
"I've done everything I needed in this sport. I believe no one is going to give me another title shot of any sort, so that sort of thing is out of my mind.
"I just want some good fights, some memorable fights - something like the Miller fight.
"I did lose that, but I loved it. It was a great fight."
Browne is still disappointed by the way he performed in his most recent bout - a fourth-round technical knockout loss to Mark Petrovsky in Dubai in December.
"The last fight in Dubai, I was ready physically, but mentally I just didn't switch on," Browne said.
"It cost me the fight of course.
"I went to Dubai for that week to taper and I just relaxed. I switched off on purpose, but I didn't switch back on.
"This Sunday, I've got my two boys walking me out. They are 20 and 22 years old. So if I don't switch on and get pumped up for that, there's something wrong with me.
"I'm so ready for this, which is good. It's going to be a great fight. In terms of being switched on - I am."
Australian Associated Press
