John Hedges vows to rip up the script against Pat Brown this weekend in Ricky Hatton's honour

John Hedges has vowed to make the most of his "free-hit" at Pat Brown this weekend when the pair lock-horns in a hugely-anticipated British & Commonwealth cruiserweight title contest.

Matchroom star Brown has established himself as one of the hottest prospects in British boxing over the past couple of years, winning all six of his professional bouts to date inside the scheduled distance.

The former Team GB representative turned professional following the 2024 Olympic Games with many pundits and fellow fighters tipping the decorated amateur to go on and cement himself as one of the leading lights in the stacked 200lbs division.

However, before he can even dream of world title opportunities, the Mancunian has to navigate his way through what appears the most challenge test of his fledging career to date, in the shape of fellow unbeaten Briton, Hedges.

The Essex man, who was trained by the late great Ricky Hatton earlier in his career, boasts a perfect 12-0 record and whilst he knows he is stepping onto enemy territory as a colossal outsider this weekend, he is determined to rip-up the script.

"I would become the second youngest British cruiserweight champion in history, behind Glenn McCrory -- what an opportunity," he said in the build-up to Saturday's fight in Manchester.

"So this is massive for me, especially at my age and where I am currently at in my career.

"I have got myself into this position before I should have and I now have a free shot at the title -- it's a great position to be in.

"I am aware of the challenge ahead, I am a massive underdog and I have been written off by pretty much everyone; the bookies, the pundits and everyone else.

"Although I am the A-side on the poster, I am definitely the B-side in the fight, but I kind of like that -- it means there is no pressure.

"I have been on some massive cards in the past, Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, Lawrence Okolie, Katie Taylor, the list goes on but this is my time now, I am the main event and I am determined to make the most of this opportunity."

The upcoming clash will mark Hedges' third fight since the tragic passing of former coach Hatton 12 months ago.

Whilst the pair only spent a few months working together in a professional capacity, the 21-year-old will forever hold the boxing icon close to his heart for his help and guidance in what was a tumultuous few weeks leading up to his English title affair with Nathan Quarless.

"I was with my first trainer Mark Tibbs for five years, but things went on and didn't quite align and I had a fight for the English title five weeks later," he said.

"There were politics in the gym and I just knew that I needed to get a new coach, but I was also aware of the fact that fight night was just a matter of weeks away.

"I sat down and spoke to my wife for hours thinking about who I could go to because financially I needed that fight, there was no way I could have pulled out.

"Then I remembered a conversation with Ricky Hatton a few years earlier and he had told me 'if you ever need anyone then ring me and I will look after you'.

"I dropped him a message late at night and the very next morning he came back to me and told me to get my arse down to his gym -- the very next day I was at his working with him on the pads.

"Ultimately we went on and got the win over Nathan Quarless, but then tragedy struck, but thankfully we had made the best of the time we had together.

"I moved to Manchester for Ricky; there was nobody else that I would have uprooted for, so I owe him an enormous amount -- I will forever be grateful."