The idea of retroactively invalidating a ring loss based on a subsequent result is commonplace in boxing, though never an option for Marcus Browne.

More than two years has passed by since Browne’s lone career defeat, a technical unanimous decision in favor of Jean Pascal. The August 2019 bout at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center saw Browne—from nearby Staten Island—box well early, only to suffer three knockdowns before the fight was stopped in round eight due to a cut over Browne’s eye caused by a headbutt. Pascal was ahead 75-74 on all three scorecards in earning the upset win.

Montreal’s Pascal (35-6-1, 20KOs) has fought just once since then, a twelve-round split decision over former two-division titlist Badou Jack in December 2019. A rematch between Pascal and Jack was due to take place this past June, with Pascal forced to withdraw after testing positive for multiple banned substances through VADA random drug testing. Jack questioned whether Pascal got away with such measures in their first fight, though that was not an avenue that Browne chose to travel.

“It is what it is. I don’t care about it,” Browne noted when asked of the drug testing scandal, while otherwise speaking with reporters for his upcoming challenge of lineal/WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev “The fight happened already, the loss is on my record. There’s no excuse. I made mistakes that night anyway. It is what it is.”

Browne (24-1, 16KOs)—who defeated Jack in lopsided and gory fashion prior to the Pascal loss—was very much interested in avenging the defeat, though that ship has sailed. He has since moved on with his career, soundly outpointing Denis Grachev over ten rounds this past April and now focused on causing a shakeup atop the light heavyweight division. The 31-year-old southpaw will travel north of the border, with the fight taking place at Bell Center in Beterbiev’s adopted hometown of Montreal, Canada.

Beterbiev is a considerable favorite to win and—as such—has Browne’s undivided attention. What is not at all on his mind is wondering whether his lone defeat came under dubious circumstances.

“This is boxing. Wins and losses come. You just have to bounce back and move forward,” notes Browne. “I didn’t want to dwell on it, just focused on what’s in front of me.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox