[2][3] Brown had his first professional fight on 16 October 1958, in Paisley, defeating Mark Quinn in the third round on a technical knockout.

He won his first fifteen fights before losing two in succession, to Derek Lloyd and Freddie Gilroy.

In October 1961, he defeated the young Walter McGowan in only his third fight, winning on points over eight rounds in Paisley.

The fight was in Birmingham against Brian Cartwright, and Brown won on points over fifteen rounds.

In December 1962, he fought for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight title, against Orizu Obilaso, of Nigeria.