Brown delivers Hatton tribute after winning British and Commonwealth titles

Pat Brown won the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles on home turf on Saturday night, counting out John Hedges in the sixth round at Co-op Live with a body shot he dedicated to Ricky Hatton.The 26-year-old Olympian took his professional record to seven wins from seven, every one inside the distance, adding the Lonsdale Belt to the WBA International and IBF Intercontinental titles already in his possession. For Hedges, it was a case of unlucky number 13 after the Harlow-born fighter had gone unbeaten through his first 12 fights. DeGale: Groves rivalry still makes me 'cringe'Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free on NOWDownload Sky Sports app for expert analysis, video and moreIt was anything but straightforward for Brown, though. Hedges is 6ft 6in, and a southpaw, and the 24-year-old spent the opening exchanges making himself hard to hit, giving Brown nothing to aim at and grabbing hold whenever the Mancunian worked his way inside.Frustration began to build for Brown and he started leaning on Hedges with his head and forcing him back over the top rope until referee Reece Carter intervened. Something appeared to click in the fifth for Brown as he stopped hunting for one shot, put the jab to work and landed a right uppercut flush under the chin. Then, having aimed high for five rounds, he went to the ribs in the sixth. A strong hook downstairs folded Hedges on to one knee and after he got to his feet, a second body shot moments later saw him downed and unable to get back up as Brown sealed an emotional and meaningful victory which he dedicated to British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who tragically passed away a year and five days prior to the fight. Image: Brown stopped Hedges in the sixth round (Credit: Matchroom Boxing) Brown said: "I finished him with a body shot in memory of him."Both fighters had strong connections to Hatton, with Brown sharing a gym with the former welterweight world champion - who also trained Hedges, taking him to the English title.Brown was given strong support throughout from a large travelling contingent from his native Sale, with fans chanting his name from the first bell."I can't just go bulldozing in with him, people think you can't box," he explained on DAZN. "With John, you're not going to get him out of there straight away because he'll just make you miss and make you look silly."That's why it was a patient performance."On the undercard, Shabaz Masoud shut out Ckari Mansilla 100-90 on all three cards to take the WBA International and IBF Intercontinental featherweight titles.Elsewhere, Mark Jeffers outpointed Kieron Conway in a British super-middleweight eliminator and Cory O'Regan became English lightweight champion at the expense of Joe Howarth.Cruz calls out Garcia after stopping BravoIsaac Cruz has called out Ryan Garcia after knocking out Nestor Bravo in San Diego to retain his WBC interim super-lightweight title for a second time at the Pechanga Arena in a controversial contest."Hey, Ryan, I'm here," Cruz, known by the nickname 'Pitbull', said after winning the fight. "My next fight for you. Come on, Ryan." Image: Isaac Cruz won a controversial fight in San Diego Garcia stopped Conor Benn inside two rounds in Las Vegas last Saturday to retain his WBC welterweight title.By Monday he was talking about a fast turnaround, naming December or January for his return and Cruz among the men he would face.Whether it is that simple is another matter as Garcia has also been linked with a fight against Teofimo Lopez, who holds a world title at welterweight, while Cruz operates a division below.Garcia responded to callout following the fight, though, and said: "Pitbull proved me wrong tonight. Let's do this in December, the offer is on the table. Image: Ryan Garcia with Conor Benn after their contest in Las Vegas "I can tame a lion, I'm not to concerned about taming a pitbull."On Saturday night though, Cruz boxed effectively and started fast as he caught Bravo with a hook in the first round as the Puerto Rican attempted to tie up.Then came the controversy, courtesy of the referee.Thomas Taylor took a point off Bravo in the second for holding, warned both men in the third after a series of low blows and docked the Puerto Rican again in the fourth for dumping Cruz on the canvas - telling him bluntly that a disqualification would leave him unpaid.The fight ended in the sixth as a lead left hook landed clean midway through the round, knocking Bravo to the canvas as he lost for just the second time in his career, while Cruz moves to 29-3-2.Daniel Blancas, Marco Verde and Eumir Marcial all won inside the distance on the undercard.