Hedges spent the first part of the year embroiled in discussions over a potential English cruiserweight title defense against the 2024 Olympian.

Those talks didn't materialize but Viddal Riley’s decision to relinquish the British title and chase world honors brought the two back to the negotiating table.

Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs) and Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) will now meet for the famous Lonsdale belt, likely in Manchester in late summer. Hedges is well aware that he will be seen as the underdog but he believes that he is being badly underestimated.

“I don't think his style is something I've never come across. I've been been in the gym as a professional for enough years now, fighting, sparring world champions, British champions,” Hedges said during an appearance on talkSPORT.

“I’ve come across his style before. I think it's like anything though. ... You've got to turn up on the night, which I've done 12 times.”

The fight is shaping up to be a true clash of styles. Brown has quickly established himself as a destructive presence on the cruiserweight scene and his physical style and heavy hands have caught the eye.

Meanwhile, Hedges has quietly maneuvered himself into position.

Although he is still only 24, he turned professional as a gangly teenage super middleweight almost six years ago.

He has slowly established himself at cruiserweight and was recently chosen to help Jermaine Franklin prepare for his fight with heavyweight standout Moses Itauma.

Hedges has developed an effective style and is determined to give Brown much more to think about than his previous opponents.

“He's a powerful man. He's got good speed, obviously got good boxing ability at the same time but I think a lot of people doubt what I'm about as well,” he said.

“I'm a 6-feet-6 southpaw, a big awkward fellow as well. I think what he's been able to do against his last few opponents where, like he said, because they've been coming there quite game, they’re there to be hit and that kind of plays into his hands.”