Hedges v Brown preview and prediction

Barry Jones begins with the matchmaking. Both men are unbeaten and still early in their professional careers, but neither has protected his record. "It is nice to see two young kids, early in their careers, take that risk and have the faith in their ability," he says. For Barry, accepting a British title fight at this stage says plenty about the confidence on both sides.

Brown is the clear favourite, fighting in Manchester with a perfect stoppage record. "He looks a real force of nature, big, strong, powerful with very fast hands," Barry says. That combination of size, power and speed makes Brown dangerous whenever he is able to set his feet and attack. There is still an opening for Hedges, however. "He is hittable because he is so offensive," Barry adds. Brown appears able to walk through shots, but he is not a difficult target to find.

That is where Hedges enters the argument. Barry sees a fleet footed boxer who can stay mobile, work behind his jab and punish Brown when he misses. Hedges is not known as a knockout puncher, but Barry warns against reading too much into that record. "Just because you cannot punch does not mean you cannot take a punch," he says. "It does not mean that you do not have strength inside." Brown may expect to walk through Hedges, wear him down and force the stoppage, but Hedges has the movement and hand speed to make him work for it.

The difficulty is sustaining that plan. Brown has more craft than his aggressive style sometimes suggests. "He moves his feet really well around the target when he throws shots, he finds the angles when he is offensive and he is always offensive," Barry says. Hedges can use his hand speed and foot speed to keep himself out of trouble for a time, but Barry expects him to spend the fight responding to Brown. "He will be the reactive fighter throughout this contest," he says, and that should eventually give Brown control.