Boxing

CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER – Freshly crowned British and Commonwealth champion Pat Brown is the biggest puncher in the cruiserweight division and would beat Jai Opetaia now.

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Those were the reliable bombastic thoughts of Brown’s promoter Eddie Hearn after his charge moved to 7-0 with 7 KOs, with a body shot stoppage of the previously undefeated John Hedges in Manchester on Saturday night.

Brown, who represented Great Britain at the Paris Olympic Games, is widely considered one of the finest prospects in world boxing – his amateur pedigree allayed with a thirst for a scrap and devastating power in both hands.

The 26-year-old headlined the Co-op Live arena for the first time on Saturday night and Hearn outlined big plans for the Manchester United supporter – namely a dream fight against the brilliant Opetaia at the home of his boyhood soccer club.

«Talking about what’s next, I know what I want him to do. I want to stick him in there and see him knock Jai Opetaia spark out at Old Trafford,» Hearn told DAZN in the ring after Hedges had been left writhing in agony by a left hook to the liver.

LETHAL BODY SHOT FROM BROWN TO SEAL IT! #HedgesBrown | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/0kSbo4SyPy

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 19, 2026

MORE: When is a big puncher ready for boxing world titles?

At the post-fight press conference, Hearn was a touch more circumspect, stating Brown’s experienced training team, helmed by Nigel Travis and Jamie Moore, would move their man a little more carefully, but he has no doubt about ‘The Bomber’s destructive power.

«I believe he wins the fight [against Opetaia]. I don’t think he’s off the level at all,» Hearn said. «I think he’s the biggest puncher in the cruiserweight division. I know Jai is getting hurt by [Norair] Mikaeljan and those guys; they don’t punch anywhere near as hard as Pat Brown.

«Of course, me calling out those guys after seven fights is not the same as Jamie or Nigel doing it; these guys know. I believe he can win those fights now, but we’re not in those fights now; that’s the reality. The European title would be really nice.» 

Pat Brown vs Jai Opetaia in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford? Count us in 🏟️🔥#HedgesBrown #DAZNReporter 🤳 pic.twitter.com/BhYgwdkLPG

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— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 20, 2026

Who will Pat Brown fight next?

Fellow Brit Viddal Riley is in possession of the European belt and has already called Brown out via social media. Ticking off British, Commonwealth and European titles en route to world glory would certainly please boxing purists, while Chev Clarke would be another solid domestic match-up.

«It’s for my team to decide, but I think I’ve got a few fights in me before I get in with [Opetaia], just because it’s not going to do me any harm getting a few more fights under my belt,» Brown said. «I’ve only boxed twice this year after having a slight injury, but we can keep the ball rolling now and move on to big things.»

«I’m happy to go the traditional route. I’m only 26. But we all need to talk, it’s only just happened and it’s a lot to take in. I learned a hell of a lot during the build-up to tonight because it really felt like a big, big occasion.»

The tempestuous boxing politics around the cruiserweight division could play in Brown’s favour, assuming he manages to position himself for a title shot in the second half of next year.

Matchroom Boxing

Since joining up with Dana White’s upstart Zuffa Boxing operation, Opetaia has been forced to give up his IBF title. WBC champion Mikaeljan was stripped before taking on Opetaia – recognised as the division’s linear No. 1 – on the Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn undercard earlier this month.

There’s also the overarching spat between Hearn and White, along with the fact that Opetaia was previously on Matchroom’s books, as further prompts for this weekend’s mischief.

«He’s going to get himself into mandatory positions to fight for the championship,» Hearn added. «We all know that the eventual move from Zuffa is to not work with the governing bodies. Jai Opetaia has lost the IBF title; he thought he’d just won the WBC title and that title’s now vacant, which Benavidez will fight for against [Michal] Cieslak. 

«We know exactly what we’re doing. We’ll position him into a shot at the world championship, and it’s going to be a tough fight, because they’re not things that you just get given.»

Opetaia vs. Brown at Old Trafford next? No. But a seed has been planted. Hearn knows exactly what game he’s playing.

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