Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith says Manchester is in for an “amazing” night this Saturday when John Hedges and Pat Brown collide at the Co-op Live – live worldwide on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.
The two, undefeated Cruiserweight rivals met at Thursday’s Press Conference as the countdown to their powderkeg clash for the British, Commonwealth, WBA International and IBF Intercontinental Titles edges closer.
Both fighters share great expectations of eventually fighting for a World Title. Brown hopes to set off on that journey this weekend when he enjoys the home city advantage, confident of delivering a performance in front of his majority fans. However, Hedges insists the pressure is completely off as he goes in search of the coveted Lonsdale belt.
Smith stated, that with both men going into the fight with unbeaten records, it provides the backdrop for a memorable fight night in the North West of England.
“The reality is one of these fighters is going to win and one is going to lose,” said Smith.
“But both of these men deserve a huge amount of respect for stepping in there and taking a challenge. How long have we seen in this sport of boxing fighters go through their careers taking easy fights, but never getting anywhere?
“Both these guys are going to go in there, take a challenge and they deserve all the respect. It’s going to be some night in there on Saturday.
“We’ve had some amazing nights in Manchester over the years, and I believe Saturday night is going to deliver another one of those.”
You can watch the Press Conference in full and read the quotes below – including the full, stacked card which sees Shabaz Masoud return to take on Ckari Cani Mansilla for the WBA Intercontinental & IBF Intercontinential Featherweight Titles, plus Kieron Conway challenging Mark Jeffers in an eliminator for the British Super Middleweight Championship and Joe Howarth taking on arch-nemesis Corey O’Regan for the English Lightweight strap.
Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO:
“We want to make the best fights in the sport. I think both these guys deserve all the respect. Boxing is the most fickle sport in the world. I’m not a boxing expert; I always profess that I’m not a boxing expert. I like putting on shows, I love the events around it. The reality is one of these fighters is going to win and one is going to lose. But both of these men deserve a huge amount of respect for stepping in there and taking a challenge. How long have we seen in this sport of boxing fighters go through their careers taking easy fights, getting to 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 0, but never getting anywhere. Both these guys are going to go in there, take a challenge and they deserve all the respect. It’s going to be some night in there on Saturday. We’ve had some amazing nights in Manchester over the years, and I believe Saturday night is going to deliver another one of those.”
John Hedges:
“For me personally, listen, coming here, Co-op Live, this is absolutely crazy. I’ll be real with you. Life-long dream to get anywhere close to this let alone doing it myself. I’ve been in the game a lot of years. I’ve done it since I’ve been 5 years old. Like I say, people have different dreams in the boxing world in what they want to achieve. Genuinely when I say I was happy to fight on the telly and walk away, that’s the sort of mentality I have. I’ve always never really backed myself a lot. Slowly slowly I’ve just started winning fights, getting through them with ease and now look, I’m here. These are nights you dream of. I’ve had 12 fights now and I’ve barely lost a round. I turn up on the night and that’s exactly what I’ll do on Saturday night.
“They do say pressure is a privilege. I’ve still got pressure on my shoulders, I know what I want to achieve in this sport. It’s more than a British Title if I’m honest with you. I know what I want to get to, I know what I’m capable of. It’s just one of them things. When you get in there, we’ve seen it time and time again, it’s a lot of pressure put on your shoulders. Ultimately, we’re only human. We’ve all got two arms and two legs; you can only go out there and do your best. If this was back in London, I’d feel the pressure a little bit more. It doesn’t really change a lot.”
Frank Greaves, trainer of John Hedges:
“Well, it’s all three of those things, his dedication, mindset and his ability. He came to the gym literally a few weeks before the Zorro fight. It was an emergency camp shall we put it. We literally gelled from the first moment that he came in the gym. He’s a senior pro now. He ticks all of the right boxes; he does everything that’s asked of him. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Pat Brown:
“Yeah, it’s obviously massive. I’ve had fights in stadiums, I’ve been in the AO (Arena) before. So, I’ve been here. I’ve visualised it. I know the long walk outs. I know the big changing rooms. I’m not really letting it get to my head to be honest with you. It’s brilliant obviously – it’s what you dream of isn’t it. All I know is the fight game. All this stuff is brilliant but all I’m focusing on is Saturday night and I can’t wait now. It’s nearly here.
“That’s really what it’s for, for me. My dad runs a club; Nigel runs a boxing club. I know the grass root level of amateur boxing clubs the most – I’ve seen it all and I know how much work they put into it. You don’t get your Pat Browns, you don’t get your John Hedges, you don’t get all these fighters on the undercards and all of these main events without amateur boxing clubs. That’s where the stars really become who they really are – disciplined, morals. Everything. That’s what boxing truly is. All I care about is showing them kids that have come from nothing like I myself can get here as well.”
Jamie Moore, trainer of Pat Brown:
“I think it’s been clear to see since the off how much of a special talent Pat is. It’s been an important part of our job to make sure that we don’t blow too much smoke up his ass. Just to make sure that he keeps his feet on the ground because it’s very easy to get carried away when you’ve done the type of job on people that Pat has. We’ve got a lot of respect for John Hedges. We understand the problems that he’s going to come and cause but my main focus has always been on Pat Brown. I 100% believe that he has the ability to become a World Champion. The dream has always been to win the British Title along the way. On Saturday night he gets to prove to everyone how good he is.”
Shabaz Masoud:
“It was one of them. It got to a stage in my career where I felt like it was the right time to move up. I’ve moved up now and I’m excited to go.
“It’s a lot better man. I’m enjoying it a lot more as well. I’m just enjoying fight week.
“I was literally back in the gym after a few weeks. I’ve been in the gym the whole year just working away. It’s one of them man. This game is no joke. I’m just more than ready.
“He’s a good fighter. I’ve seen bits and bobs of him. I’m just very confident in myself though. I know what I’ve got to do.
“My main focus is Saturday. Then we’ll let the team talk and decide what is next.”
Mark Jeffers:
“Yeah, it’s a massive opportunity. Obviously, the fight was meant to happen in May. So, I had a camp for that. I’ve not boxed for a year but I had a full camp for that May one. Unfortunately that fell through.
“I’m in unbelievable shape. It’s going to be a good night Saturday. He’s a top fighter. The British Title – that’s one of my dreams. He’s won that. It’s a massive fight, one I’ve taken very seriously. I did two weeks in Tenerife for my camp.
“Get to him, beat him up and get him out of there.”
Kieron Conway:
“It was a decision that had to be made. It probably should have been made a couple of years ago. But I feel good. I’ve got energy on fight week and I’m looking to take that in on Saturday.
“I know that he’s a very good fighter. He’s very rough, tough and very fit. I can tell you for a fact that I’m glad I’m not in a running race with him because I know he’s very good at that. I’m looking forward to Saturday and getting back on track.
“That’s exactly what I expect him to bring. That’s what I’ve been working on for the last 9 months, making sure that cannot happen. I’m here to win by any means necessary.”
