Brown Stops Hedges in Six, Claims British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Titles
Pat Brown defeated previously unbeaten John Hedges by sixth-round knockout on September 19 at Co-op Live in Manchester. The win earned Brown the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight belts in only his seventh professional bout. Brown, now 7-0 with all wins by stoppage, also dedicated the victory to Ricky Hatton.
At 26, Brown captured the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles in Manchester on 19 September, stopping John Hedges in round six. It was only Brown’s seventh paid bout, and he remains perfect at 7-0, with every victory coming before the final bell.
Hedges entered 12-0 and used a 6ft 6in southpaw frame to control early distance. Brown’s jab, a fifth-round uppercut and sixth-round body work turned the fight. Brown honored Ricky Hatton, a gymmate who had also trained Hedges and died in September 2025. The undercard included Shabaz Masoud, Mark Jeffers and Cory O’Regan wins.
Brown’s swift title success may raise the profile of British cruiserweight boxing and give Manchester fans a new local figure to follow. His dedication to Ricky Hatton could deepen the emotional connection for supporters still mourning the former champion. For Hedges, a first defeat may test his confidence and force a career reassessment, while promoters and venues could benefit from increased interest in future cards. The result may also encourage young fighters who see a short professional path to major belts.