Lucas Browne may not fight again this year after an injury to boxing veteran Wladimir Klitschko.
The West Australian wanted to get Klitschko into the ring this year, although that was dependent on the Ukrainian heavyweight's plans to fight IBF world champion Brit Anthony Joshua on December 10.
However it was announced on Tuesday that the 40-year-old suffered a calf injury at training, meaning Klitschko won't fight either opponent.
Klitschko's December bout with Joshua was already in doubt due to the World Boxing Association's reported reluctance to sanction it, and the former world champion eyeing a Browne fight instead.
Ranked fourth in the WBA, Browne's next possible opponents include skilful English boxer David Haye, however the Australian said he would prefer to fight Russian Alexander Ustinov or German Manuel Charr.
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Browne tweeted that he didn't know what his next move would be.
"So now that Klitschko is out injured, the question still remains for myself. Who, when, where and for the WBA regular or the WBA super title," he wrote.
It's unlikely Browne would be suitor for Joshua because he's not ranked in the IBF.
The 37-year-old Browne has been desperate to prove himself again after he was suspended for six months this year after testing positive for traces of the weight-stripping substance clenbuterol following his World Boxing Association "Regular" world title win over Ruslan Chagaev in Chechnya in March.
He also lost the belt and the bout was declared a no-contest but was subsequently cleared, with the WBA saying it was unlikely he intentionally ingested the weight-loss drug.
