Pat, now aged 26 and one of the sport\u2019s rising stars, says his first ever memory is his dad holding up pillows for him to the punch at the age of four, and that he would also take him to Firs Park, near their home in Sale, where he would take him on the pads.<\/p>\n
Despite having to be 10 years old to go into the Sale West Amateur Boxing<\/a> Club, which was just around the corner from his house, his dad\u2019s relationship with the club\u2019s founder, the late Paul Dunne, meant he started going when he was just seven.<\/p>\n Pat after beating Ivan Duka in Birmingham last June(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I knew all the lads through my old man, it already felt like home, really,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n But there was one person more than any other who inspired him to want to become a fighter.<\/p>\n Pat\u2019s introduction to the club came at the time Ricky Hatton, himself a graduate from Sale West, was at the peak of his powers, fighting the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n \u201cRicky has always been my number one idol\u201d he said, recalling that he had a picture of him on his school book. \u201cMr Dunne helped him out as an amateur, and he was always round at Mr Dunne\u2019s house.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was in the gym as a kid, Ricky would come in and punch the bag, and he influenced the kids to go on and do great things.<\/p>\n Ricky Hatton with former coach Paul Dunne at Sale West Amateur Boxing Club in 2007(Image: Andy Lambert)<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest advice I got from him was when Ricky was speaking to my dad at a funeral, and my dad relayed it to me.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just said that the boxing world is full of rats and you can\u2019t trust everyone. He said you have to have your ear to the door at all times because it can get very messy as you go up the ranks, with the politics of boxing.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that is the best advice I\u2019ve had, and it\u2019s stood me in good stead. I\u2019ve always had the right people around, me guiding me. That\u2019s what it\u2019s about, having a small-knit team.\u201d<\/p>\n Pat said he also played football and rugby league<\/a> as a youngster, but that he knew from a young age he wanted to focus on boxing. He remained at Sale West until the age of 20.<\/p>\n He boxed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the Round of 16, before turning professional that year, signing a long-term deal with Eddie Hearn\u2019s Matchroom stable.<\/p>\n Pat’s opponent John Hedges, with Ricky Hatton who trained him(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n He has a perfect record, securing knockout victories in each of his six pro fights so far.<\/p>\n He has already boxed on the undercard at fights at Manchester\u2019s AO Arena, Windsor Park in Belfast, and at the NEC in Birmingham, as well as two shows at Planet Ice in Altrincham<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, on Saturday (September 19), he will headline a major arena for the first time, at Manchester\u2019s Co-op Live.<\/p>\n Asked if he envisaged headlining arenas like that, he said: \u201cNo. Not this early on. I\u2019ve always envisioned it in my mind throughout the years, but never this early on in my career.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if he felt he was now following in Ricky\u2019s footsteps, he said: \u201cIt\u2019d be nice to think so. People like to compare. I\u2019ve said this numerous times, but if I can take one percent from Ricky\u2019s career, I\u2019ll be a very happy man.<\/p>\n “I just want to put on a really good night for people.\u201d<\/p>\n The strapping 6ft 3in puncher, nicknamed ‘The Bomber’, is taking on 24-year-old Essex fighter John Hedges for the British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles.<\/p>\n John, nicknamed ‘The Gentleman’ has his own history with Ricky Hatton. Ricky was in his corner when he won the English title last May and has said he feels it is fitting he is fighting next door to the home of Ricky\u2019s beloved Manchester City<\/a>.<\/p>\n He has hinted he may pay tribute to Ricky, with the fight being close to the first anniversary of his tragic death.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a class fighter, he\u2019s worth his money, and I just can\u2019t wait for Saturday night,\u201d United fan Pat says.<\/p>\n And he is hoping the British title in particular, which he says is the \u2018most historic belt in the game,\u2019 can be a stepping stone to even greater things.<\/p>\n \u201cLike every fighter, world champion is the ultimate goal. But I never thought I would go to the Olympics,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cI always had a dream to be North West champion. Then a national champion. Then boxing for Great Britain. You always have these dreams but when they start coming true, you think \u2018do you know what, I can actually do this\u2019 and you start getting even more belief. So it\u2019s nice to have these goals set ahead but I\u2019m definitely not one to rush. I want to go through the right stage at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch John Hedges vs Pat Brown live on DAZN<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a325.99<\/p>\n from \u00a39.99<\/p>\n DAZN<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0_Boxing-In-Birmingham-Galal-Yafai-v-Francisco-Rodriguez.jpg\")
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