The action will take place at Co-op Live Arena in Brown’s hometown of Manchester, live on DAZN.

Brown is regarded as a firm favorite to beat Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs), and although he's touted as a future star of British boxing, the 26-year-old is expecting a hard night’s work.

“The British title, it brings the dog out in people and that's what's going to happen Saturday,” Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“I know there's a dog in John. Whether that's a Jack Russell or a lurcher like he's built, I don't know. But I'm expecting the lurcher, long and fast. I'm expecting the best version of John Hedges and this is going to be a barnstormer.”

The fight is billed as Hedges vs. Brown but the former understands that he is very much the B-side in the promotion.

The 24-year-old from Essex turned professional as a gangly 18-year-old super middleweight but has steadily grown into his 6-foot-6 frame and has developed an awkwardly effective southpaw style.

Although his own career is still relatively young, Hedges has quietly passed every test placed in front of him and has collected the Southern Area and English titles, accumulating quality rounds of experience along the way.

The relaxed Hedges isn’t oblivious to the fact that he is expected to lose but is confident of being too smart and slick for the aggressive Brown.

“Coming here to Co-op Live, this is absolutely crazy,” he said coyly. I'll be real with you, it’s a lifelong lifelong dream to get anywhere close to this, never mind doing it myself. I’ve been in the game since I was five years old. People have different dreams in the boxing world. But, genuinely, when I say I was happy to fight on telly and walk away, that was the sort of mentality I had.

“I've always never really backed myself a lot but slowly I've just started winning fights, getting through them with ease, and now look, I'm here.

“These are the nights you dream of. I've had 12 fights now and barely lost a round. I turn up on the night, that’s exactly what I'll do Saturday night.”

Brown has been groomed for Saturday night since he decided to turn professional after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

He was immediately touted as one of Britain’s brightest prospects and biggest ticket sellers and this weekend marks a significant step in both his progression as a fighter and an attraction.

Brown, one of The Ring's 2025 "Prospect of the Year" nominees, isn’t allowing the pressure of the occasion affect him and is fixated only on beating Hedges and becoming the British champion.

“I've had fights in stadiums and arenas before so I've been here," he said. "I've envisioned it. I know the long walk outs. I know the big changing rooms. So, 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? But all I know is is the fight game.

“All this stuff is brilliant but all I'm focusing on is Saturday night. I can't wait now.”