Pat Brown vs. John Hedges: Big Fight Preview

Pat Brown vs. John Hedges: Big Fight Preview

“The reality is one of these fighters is going to win, and one is going to lose,” Frank Smith said at Thursday’s press conference in Manchester. It’s an obvious statement. But it’s a brutally honest one.

Smith was talking about Saturday night’s big domestic showdown between Pat Brown and John Hedges. Two undefeated cruiserweight prospects who will clash for British, Commonwealth, WBA International and IBF Intercontinental titles.

“But both of these men deserve a huge amount of respect for stepping in there and taking a challenge,” Smith also said. He is right; both fighters could have gone down a much safer route. Hedges, especially, could have swerved Brown, who is making a habit of blowing away supposedly tough challenges with the minimum of discomfort.

The undefeated Hedges is relishing the prospect of facing the feared former amateur star.

“For me personally, listen, coming here, Co-op Live, this is absolutely crazy,” Hedges says. “I’ll be real with you. Lifelong dream to get anywhere close to this, let alone doing it myself. I’ve been in the game a lot of years. I’ve done it since I was 5 years old. Like I say, people have different dreams in the boxing world in what they want to achieve. Genuinely, when I say I was happy to fight on the telly and walk away, that’s the sort of mentality I have. I’ve always never really backed myself a lot. Slowly, slowly I’ve just started winning fights, getting through them with ease, and now look, I’m here. These are nights you dream of. I’ve had 12 fights now, and I’ve barely lost a round. I turn up on the night and that’s exactly what I’ll do on Saturday night.

“They do say pressure is a privilege. I’ve still got pressure on my shoulders; I know what I want to achieve in this sport. It’s more than a British Title, if I’m honest with you. I know what I want to get to; I know what I’m capable of. It’s just one of those things. When you get in there, we’ve seen it time and time again; it’s a lot of pressure put on your shoulders. Ultimately, we’re only human. We’ve all got two arms and two legs; you can only go out there and do your best. If this was back in London, I’d feel the pressure a little bit more. It doesn’t really change a lot.”

It’s a big moment for Brown as well. On paper, his toughest test to date. “Yeah, it’s obviously massive,” Brown said on Thursday. “I’ve had fights in stadiums, I’ve been in the AO (Arena) before. So, I’ve been here. I’ve visualised it. I know the long walk-outs. I know the big changing rooms. 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? All I know is the fight game. All this stuff is brilliant, but all I’m focusing on is Saturday night, and I can’t wait now. It’s nearly here.

“That’s really what it’s for, for me. My dad runs a club; Nigel runs a boxing club. I know the grassroots level of amateur boxing clubs the most – I’ve seen it all, and I know how much work they put into it. You don’t get your Pat Browns, you don’t get your John Hedges, you don’t get all these fighters on the undercards and all of these main events without amateur boxing clubs. That’s where the stars really become who they really are – disciplined, morals. Everything. That’s what boxing truly is. All I care about is showing them kids that have come from nothing like I myself can get here as well.”

The 26-year-old Brown has impressed in his six professional fights to date. Those six fights have brought six stoppage victories. The expectation is Hedges will be victim number seven. Brown is the 1/7 betting favourite to improve his record to 7-0.

Hedges is at around 9-2, but he is expected to take Brown into the later rounds. At 24, Hedges is younger and more experienced as a pro. Unbeaten in twelve fights, and despite the odds, Hedges is confident of the upset. Time will tell if that confidence is misplaced. At the very least, Hedges, I suspect, will tell us a little more about just how good Pat Brown really is. But Hedges will argue Brown is the perfect opponent to show just how good he is. In simple terms, it’s just a really good fight.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing