Brown stops Hedges to claim British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles
Pat Brown defeated John Hedges via a sixth-round stoppage in Manchester, capturing the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight belts. The 26-year-old extended his professional record to seven wins, all by knockout, while Hedges suffered the first loss of his career. The bout was moved to Co-op Live due to high ticket demand.
The decisive blows came in the sixth round when Brown landed a left hook to the body that put Hedges down. After beating the count, Hedges was floored again by a similar shot and could not continue. The victory was especially meaningful for Brown, who walked to the ring with his father and had spoken beforehand about wanting to place belts on his dad's shoulders.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has floated the idea of a future world title fight at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, which last hosted boxing in 1993. Brown, a 2024 Olympic representative for Team GB, now holds both British and Commonwealth belts and has targeted European champion Viddal Riley as his next opponent.
This result could reinvigorate interest in the British cruiserweight scene, with Brown's knockout style and hometown appeal potentially drawing new fans to the division. His decision to pursue the traditional domestic route rather than chase world titles immediately may also influence how other young prospects approach their careers. For Hedges, the first defeat of his professional career could reshape his future path in the sport.