Big-punching cruiserweight prospect Pat Brown headlines in his hometown of Manchester when he takes on Commonwealth champion John Hedges at Co-op Live.
The vacant British title is also on the line in a contest where someone’s 0 has to go.
Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) represented Great Britain at the Paris Olympics and turned pro to great fanfare.
By contrast, Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs) progressed away from the spotlight until his 10-round win over former world title challenger Ellis Zorro last time out.
This showdown has been on the radar since Hedges beat Nathan Quarless for the English title in the middle of last year, with Brown’s handlers at Matchroom keen to move him quickly towards major honours before he outgrows the division.
Hedges is accepting of his role in the whole arrangement, but is coming to win. “It’s a great position to be in,” he said. “I’m aware of the challenge ahead. I’m a massive underdog. I have pretty much been written off by everyone.”
Ambition can’t be tamed, Great Expectations in Manchester 🇬🇧👑 @johnhedges_ @PatBrown_1
The Gentleman and The Bomber for the prestigious British Title on Saturday 🔥 #HedgesBrown pic.twitter.com/ljRp0kWfMX
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 15, 2026John Hedges vs. Pat Brown prediction: Who will win?
Speaking to Ring Magazine at the start of this year, Brown’s trainer Jamie Moore discussed Moses Itauma as a dream opponent for his man. The pair sparred in the amateurs and Brown’s long-term destination is a currently wide-open heavyweight division.
Since those remarks, the lavishly gifted Itauma has become a cautionary tale. He was sensational through the first half of his bid for the vacant IBF title against Filip Hrgovic last month, only to spectacularly run out of gas and be stopped in a state of exhaustion in round nine.
This is not to say Hedges is to the cruiserweight division what indisputably top-five heavyweight Hrgovic is to boxing’s big men. But the task for Hedges is similar, insofar as he will try to take a monster puncher into the second half of his first 12 rounds and see how he fares when he keeps getting hit back.
Brown had blitzed through a succession of early stoppages before being taken into the eighth by tough Czech Vasil Ducar in his previous fight. There was some notable return fire, but those were still very one-sided rounds.
Hedges is a different puzzle. A southpaw, he will look to box, move and be awkward for Brown. The Commonwealth champion must deny his foe the encouragement of landing his sledgehammer right hand early. Making Brown miss as a means of draining his tank will be central to the strategy.
The issue for Hedges is a relative lack of power. Just three stoppages against moderate opposition suggests he might not have the pop in his shots to dissuade Brown from marauding forward. As you’d expect from any Moore fighter, the 26-year-old cuts the ring off well and lands spitefully to the body.
There might be moments where Brown is made to look rudimentary by the stylish Hedges, but expect him to hunt his man down and get him out of there during the middle rounds.
SN prediction: Brown via TKO 7/12
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John Hedges vs. Pat Brown undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Hedges vs. Brown card, which is packed with Irish talent
Sahbaz Masoud vs. Ckari Cani MansillaDivision/Weight: FeatherweightMasoud record: 15-0Mansilla record: 19-4
Rising star Masoud returns to action for the first time since his brilliant win over Peter McGrail in Monte Carlo last December. That bout was 13 months on from Masoud’s similarly impressive victory against domestic rival Liam Davies in November 2024.
Such inactivity is the only blemish for Masoud in his pro career to date. This matchup with tough Argentine visitor Mansilla (13 KOs) is his first at featherweight. Davies boxes for the European title at 126lbs against Nathaniel Collins later this month, and a rematch would do good business. Both Masoud and Davies have a top-10 rating with the IBF.
Kieron Conway vs. Mark JeffersDivision/Weight: Super middleweightConway record: 23-4-1Jeffers record: 20-2
Conway lost his British middleweight title to the gifted George Liddard last October. Liddard has defended the Lonsdale belt and become European champion since, while Conway has taken time away to lick his wounds.
In contrast to his opponent’s step up from 160 pounds, Jeffers drops down from light heavyweight, where he was knocked out in seven rounds by Willy Hutchinson last October.
Joe Howarth vs. Cory O’ReganDivision/Weight: LightweightHowarth record: 15-2Holmes record: 18-0Title: English
Dave Allen-trained Howarth got back in the win column in a four-rounder last time out, having dropped a decision to top prospect Giorgio Visioli last December.
O’Regan comes in as a late replacement for this Lancashire vs. Yorkshire clash. The Leeds-based southpaw has not boxed for a year and suffered a comprehensive first career loss to Jack Rafferty when he challenged for the Commonwealth super lightweight title in April 2025.
Garan Croft vs. Mohammed GraichDivision/Weight: Super welterweightCroft record: 6-0Graich record: 12-6-1
Former European silver medalist Croft continues his education in the pros with a step-up fight against Graich… at least on paper.
The Italian visitor’s winning record has been compromised by a run of three successive defeats and four winless fights overall. However, he has never been stopped.
Alfie Middlemiss vs. Gerard HughesDivision/Weight: FeatherweightMiddlemiss record: 6-0Hughes record: 6-1-1
Brown’s skilful gym-mate Middlemiss was dominant in his previous fight against Lewis Morris but is still without a stoppage in his professional career.
Hughes got back to winning ways in a six-rounder at the start of the year after fellow Irishman Ruadhan Farrell inflicted a first career defeat on the March 2025 undercard for Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan.
Tom Rafferty vs. Liam WalshDivision/Weight: MiddleweightRafferty record: 17-0Walsh record: 9-1-2
The younger brother of welterweight contender Jack, Tom Rafferty has built his imposing undefeated record on the small hall circuit, but impressed to earn a Matchroom deal when he stopped Pablo Sosa in three rounds on the Ben Whittaker vs. Braian Suarez undercard in April.
Walsh suffered a first career defeat when he was dropped and stopped in the eighth and final round of his Celtic middleweight title bout with Eoghan Lavin in Dublin six months ago.
Where to watch John Hedges vs. Pat Brown
Hedges vs. Brown will be available on DAZN worldwide.
In the UK, 12-month access is £15.99 per month, with the annual saver £119.99 and £25.99 for a monthly pass.