Brown set to fight for British title following Viddal Riley’s choice to vacate it.
The cruiserweight division is often considered amongst boxing fans to be one of the most lacking in terms of high-level competition.
With the recent defeat of Gilberto Ramirez, the two top operators at the weight have been whittled down to Jai Opetaia and David Benavidez. However, with Opetaia fighting under Zuffa Boxing, a showdown between them will be tricky to make at best.
Other than them, there is WBC champion Noel Mikaelian, who is often forgotten because of his divisional counterparts. But outside of that world-level trio, whoever is next to take over is anyone’s guess.
The 200-pound scene in Britain, however, is a solid one. With former titleholder Chris Billam-Smith, up-and-comers Aloys Junior and Lucas Roehrig, and former title challenger Jack Massey, there are a number of interesting additions at the domestic level.
Pat Brown looks like something very special, though.
As a former 2024 Olympian, Brown has been fast-tracked on his professional journey. And since turning over last year, he has won all six of his outings inside the distance.
Last time out, he bludgeoned Czech toughman Vasil Ducar into a stoppage loss, then faced off with English champion John Hedges (who he had previously been rumoured to fight).
Now Brown vs. Hedges seems to be on the verge of being announced, and news released earlier today that British champion Viddal Riley relinquished the Lord Lonsdale Belt. As a result, a request from Eddie Hearn to have the title on the line for the fight between Brown and Hedges has been accepted by the British Boxing Board of Control.
The 26-year-old Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) is actually two years younger than the 24-year-old Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs), who last beat Ellis Zorro to defend the English belt he won by beating Nathan Quarless.
A 6’6″ technical southpaw, Hedges is the stylistic opposite to the power-punching Brown, which is why a meeting between the two should prove to be so intriguing.
The date and location for the matchup are yet to be announced, but Brown has teased on his social media that fight news will be revealed soon.
🚨 HEDGES-BROWN NOW FOR THE BRITISH
✅ Following Viddal Riley’s decision to relinquish the British cruiserweight title, the BBBofC has accepted a request from Eddie Hearn to stage John Hedges 🆚 Pat Brown for the vacant championship. Date & Venue TBD. pic.twitter.com/rcofbVYQLh
— EverythingBoxing | Darshan Desai (@EverythingBoxi2) May 14, 2026
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