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PAT BROWN READY TO STEP UP, TAME JOHN HEDGES

Pat Brown is prepared to tame John Hedges when they fight for the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles Saturday night.

The action will take place at Co-op Live Arena in Brown’s hometown of Manchester, live on DAZN.

Brown is regarded as a firm favorite to beat Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs), and although he's touted as a future star of British boxing, the 26-year-old is expecting a hard night’s work.

“The British title, it brings the dog out in people and that's what's going to happen Saturday,” Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“I know there's a dog in John. Whether that's a Jack Russell or a lurcher like he's built, I don't know. But I'm expecting the lurcher, long and fast. I'm expecting the best version of John Hedges and this is going to be a barnstormer.”

The fight is billed as Hedges vs. Brown but the former understands that he is very much the B-side in the promotion.

The 24-year-old from Essex turned professional as a gangly 18-year-old super middleweight but has steadily grown into his 6-foot-6 frame and has developed an awkwardly effective southpaw style.

Although his own career is still relatively young, Hedges has quietly passed every test placed in front of him and has collected the Southern Area and English titles, accumulating quality rounds of experience along the way.

The relaxed Hedges isn’t oblivious to the fact that he is expected to lose but is confident of being too smart and slick for the aggressive Brown.

“Coming here to Co-op Live, this is absolutely crazy,” he said coyly. I'll be real with you, it’s a lifelong lifelong dream to get anywhere close to this, never mind doing it myself. I’ve been in the game since I was five years old. People have different dreams in the boxing world. But, genuinely, when I say I was happy to fight on telly and walk away, that was the sort of mentality I had.

“I've always never really backed myself a lot but slowly I've just started winning fights, getting through them with ease, and now look, I'm here.

“These are the nights you dream of. I've had 12 fights now and barely lost a round. I turn up on the night, that’s exactly what I'll do Saturday night.”

Brown has been groomed for Saturday night since he decided to turn professional after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

He was immediately touted as one of Britain’s brightest prospects and biggest ticket sellers and this weekend marks a significant step in both his progression as a fighter and an attraction.

Brown, one of The Ring's 2025 "Prospect of the Year" nominees, isn’t allowing the pressure of the occasion affect him and is fixated only on beating Hedges and becoming the British champion.

“I've had fights in stadiums and arenas before so I've been here," he said. "I've envisioned it. I know the long walk outs. I know the big changing rooms. So, I'm not really letting it get to my head, to be honest with you. It's brilliant, obviously. It’s what you dream of, isn't it? But all I know is the fight game.

“All this stuff is brilliant but all I'm focusing on is Saturday night. I can't wait now.”

So less than 20% of people think Hedges can win.

Which is fair enough as Brown has been hyped since Eduardo signed him.

But, of the people who voted against him, how far do you think he can go?

Taansend wrote: ↑18 Sep 2026, 00:41 So less than 20% of people think Hedges can win.

Which is fair enough as Brown has been hyped since Eduardo signed him.

But, of the people who voted against him, how far do you think he can go?

I think it will be a good fight. But in the polls, you can only pick one.

I think people know more about Brown than they do Hedges.

Hedges has a very Fury-like style.

Taansend wrote: ↑18 Sep 2026, 00:41 So less than 20% of people think Hedges can win.

Which is fair enough as Brown has been hyped since Eduardo signed him.

But, of the people who voted against him, how far do you think he can go?

i think hedges is british level potential at best, been unimpressed with him several times after reading some initial hype and he has nothing on his punches. he has some trickiness to him but i expect brown to figure that out before too long

My only issue is Brown has had a lot of blowouts, only done 19 pro rounds and is very aggressive and high energy.

Could hedges take him late and Pat blow himself out? (Similar in some ways to Itauma?)

I need to look at hedges as can’t remember if he’s any good

EDIT - just watched. Looks soft. He’s awkward but I don’t think Brown should have too much trouble. Might catch a few shots early but a mid rounds stoppage is likely

Live weigh in

Just watched a bit of Hedges. He looked poor against Zorro but Brown didn't look great in his last fight either. It's an interesting local level English fight but miles away from high level boxing.

Heldenjaeger wrote: ↑18 Sep 2026, 13:38 Just watched a bit of Hedges. He looked poor against Zorro but Brown didn't look great in his last fight either. It's an interesting local level English fight but miles away from high level boxing.

I think with Brown. The higher the level, he’ll adjust his style a little and not take too many risks.

As most boxers do as they go up in ranks.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑18 Sep 2026, 13:42I think with Brown. The higher the level, he’ll adjust his style a little and not take too many risks.

As most boxers do as they go up in ranks.

Yeah, his fundamentals are okay and he seems physically strong but the lack of head movement is a bit worrying. In my experience that's not something you just "turn on" once the opposition gets better and hits harder.

You worry Brown might fall in love in love with his power and neglect the fundamentals that made him an Olympian,, especially with the KO streak

Hedges seems to have natural confidence but this is a tough ask.

To win a Lonsdale belt he probably needs to be facing a co-challenger with a domestic level ceiling.

handsofstone wrote: ↑18 Sep 2026, 15:00 You worry Brown might fall in love in love with his power and neglect the fundamentals that made him an Olympian,, especially with the KO streak

Good shout

Fight night!!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 06:18 Fight night!!

Some good matchups on the undercard.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 07:50

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 06:18 Fight night!!

Some good matchups on the undercard.

A nice NXTGEN type card for sure

Look forward to Masoud.
See what he does:

He’ll be on just before the main event

Might just watch it from 9 or sumat.

I think it’s just 4 fights on the main card.

Hedges is an absolute credit to the traveller community more of him less of Tyson please. I think Brown stops him though.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 09:30 Hedges is an absolute credit to the traveller community more of him less of Tyson please. I think Brown stops him though.

What round you going for?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 09:31

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑19 Sep 2026, 09:30 Hedges is an absolute credit to the traveller community more of him less of Tyson please. I think Brown stops him though.

What round you going for?

Whatever I predict it almost definitely won’t be. I’m saying round 3

A women’s fight got added to the prelims

5 fights on prelims. Begin at 4:15 now