Pat Brown delivered one of the biggest performances of his young professional career on Saturday night, stopping John Hedges in the sixth round to win the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles at Manchester’s Co op Live Arena.
The 26 year old Olympian extended his perfect professional record to seven victories from seven fights, with every win coming inside the distance. Brown also added the prestigious Lonsdale Belt to the WBA International and IBF Intercontinental titles already in his possession.
Hedges entered the contest unbeaten in 12 professional fights and presented Brown with a difficult challenge during the opening rounds. Standing 6ft 6in and fighting from a southpaw stance, Hedges used his movement and reach effectively while tying Brown up whenever the Manchester fighter attempted to close the distance.
Brown remained patient, however, and began finding greater success in the fifth round. His jab started opening opportunities for heavier combinations, including a powerful right uppercut that signalled a shift in momentum.
The decisive moment arrived in round six when Brown switched his attention to the body. A powerful left hook sent Hedges to one knee before another body shot moments later dropped him again. This time Hedges was unable to beat the count, giving Brown the biggest victory of his professional career.
The result was also an emotional one for Brown, who dedicated the body-shot finish to Manchester boxing legend Ricky Hatton. Brown had shared a gym with the former two weight world champion, while Hedges had also been trained by Hatton and had him in his corner when he won the English cruiserweight title in 2025.
Brown said after the contest that he had finished the fight with a body shot in Hatton’s memory, adding extra significance to an already memorable night in Manchester. Hatton, famous throughout his career for his own devastating body punching, died in September 2025 at the age of 46.
Brown’s victory reinforces his position as one of Britain’s most exciting emerging cruiserweights. Although his professional career is still only seven fights old, his combination of power and increasingly patient boxing has already delivered domestic and international level titles.
While Brown celebrated in Manchester, another major boxing story developed thousands of miles away in San Diego.
Former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz retained his WBC interim super lightweight title by stopping Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo in the sixth round at Pechanga Arena.
The contest featured several controversial moments, including point deductions against Bravo, but Cruz ultimately settled matters with his fists. A clean left hook sent Bravo to the canvas in the sixth round, bringing the fight to an end and improving Cruz’s professional record to 29 wins, three defeats and two draws.
Cruz wasted little time turning his attention towards another major fight, publicly challenging Ryan Garcia immediately after his victory.
Garcia has recently returned to the centre of boxing’s biggest conversations after stopping Conor Benn inside two rounds to retain his WBC welterweight title. He has spoken about making a quick return to the ring, with December or January mentioned as possibilities.
Following Cruz’s challenge, Garcia responded positively and indicated that a December fight could be possible. However, several issues would need to be resolved before the matchup becomes official. Cruz currently competes at super lightweight, while Garcia holds his title at welterweight, meaning the fighters would need to agree on the weight and other contractual details.
Garcia has also been linked with other potential opponents, including Teofimo Lopez, so a Cruz Garcia showdown remains a possibility rather than a confirmed contest.
For Cruz, victory over Bravo keeps him firmly in contention for another major opportunity. His aggressive pressure fighting style has made him one of the most recognizable fighters in the lighter divisions, and a meeting with Garcia would bring together two boxers with very different styles and large international followings.
It was therefore a significant night on both sides of the Atlantic. Brown left Manchester with two major domestic titles, an unbeaten record and an emotional tribute to one of British boxing’s most celebrated champions. Cruz, meanwhile, successfully defended his interim crown in San Diego before setting his sights on one of the biggest names in the sport.
With Brown continuing his rapid rise and Cruz pushing for a lucrative showdown with Garcia, both fighters have positioned themselves for even bigger nights ahead.
