John Hedges, the 6ft 5in southpaw super-middle and four-time national champ: Why I'm turning pro with S-Jam Boxing

With MTK Global living up to its name as a truly international managerial and promotional powerhouse, there is perhaps a gap in the boxing market for a more boutique operation, one that keeps its stable small and clients select. John Hedges certainly thinks so. The highly touted 18-year-old from a travelling background, a 6ft 5in (and still growing) southpaw super-middle who can dig, has won four national titles as an amateur and is now turning professional with S-Jam Boxing, the intimate management company owned by Sam Jones and Adam Morallee. In the video below, Hedges, who idolises Tyson Fury, clearly states why he feels this is the right time to turn over.

"The main thing was Sam Jones," Hedges explains of the man who works with Joe Joyce and Kody Davies, among others. "He got in contact and from that point that’s who I was looking at turning pro with.
"The European Games were meant to be in August but, with all this [the Covid-19 pandemic] going on, they got set back and we didn’t know when it was going to be. It just felt the right time. I was omn a roll, in good stead, looking sharp in the gym. I thought, ’Let’s put it to good use,’ and I was ready for the pro game."

In making this decision, Hedges, who goes into further detail in the below video, turned his back on a decent chance of representing GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, the charming teenager has a wise head on young shoulders and both he and Jones are convinced he can become a superstar. He will continue to train under his amateur coach, the widely respected Sab Leo from the Hoddesdon club.

"Sam and Adam brought to the table eight high-level, top-spec, brilliant fighters," Hedges adds. "If I can mix with them, I’m a strong believer, iron sharpens iron. They’ve got Lerrone Richards who is my weight, Kody Davies who is a natural light-heavy and they’re two of the best in my opinion.
"I just think it’s a great place and you’re a family. We’re in group chats together, we’re all close. In other companies, you might not even know who the other boxers are."