British boxing fans have been given a glimpse into the future over the last six days, with two potential flag bearers notching up statement victories.
The imperious Moses Itauma impressed against Jermaine Franklin last weekend at heavyweight, and tonight, one division below, Pat Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) passed his own serious test with an eighth-round stoppage of Vasil Ducar (19-8-2, 14 KOs) at Planet Ice in Altrincham.
Ducar is a familiar name on these shores. A resilient Czech brought in to test emerging talent at cruiserweight, he has shared the ring with Chris Billam-Smith, Jordan Thompson, and Cheavon Clarke since 2021. In 2026, he no longer carries the same threat, but his toughness remains intact — as do the flashes of success that exposed elements of Brown’s defensive vulnerability.
This was matchmaking with purpose: rounds for the 26-year-old, and a measure of how he copes with a stubborn gatekeeper en route to sterner examinations.
Is Hedges next?
Brown started quickly, as he tended to at the beginning of each session, but his willingness to engage allowed Ducar moments of success — the kind that will give future opponents encouragement. There is time to iron out those creases, but Brown’s desire to entertain, particularly in front of a home crowd, is unlikely to fade. It is a trait that will make him a must-watch, even if it offers others a route in.
English champion John Hedges entered the ring post-fight and immediately called for a showdown, but Brown insisted the “ship had sailed”, revealing he had hoped to face Hedges tonight.
“We’ll wait and see,” Brown said about facing Hedges after exchanging a handshake with his domestic rival.
Hedges would represent a solid next step, ideally for the British title, but Brown’s offensive output poses questions for anyone operating at that level. In the opening round, Ducar landed a body combination, yet Brown’s reaction suggested the visitor may have had more success trying to dent a brick wall.
Catching a breath
Brown was afforded the platform to showcase his arsenal, mixing in eye-catching uppercuts and a doubling left hand that produced the first knockdown in round five. Unsurprisingly, it was a body shot that did the damage, and as the 36-year-old returned to his corner, he draped his arms over the ropes in search of breath.
An uppercut followed by a cuffing left dropped the Czech again in the sixth, and the writing appeared on the wall. Still, Ducar persisted, occasionally snapping Brown’s head back and enjoying pockets of success.
His ambition grew, but it ultimately proved costly. In the eighth, the now more composed Brown began to pick his shots, unleashing a sharp burst that forced Ducar to the canvas once more. He rose, but only briefly. Seconds later, referee Michael Alexander stepped in to wave it off with little time left in the round.
Ducar may have felt aggrieved at the stoppage, but the trajectory of the fight had long been established. The outcome was never in doubt.
For Brown, this was a worthwhile test passed. Yet the moments Ducar found will linger. Small warnings that hint at a future likely to be as entertaining as it is unpredictable. A crowd-pleasing fighter with ambition and flaws in equal measure often makes for the most compelling careers.
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