enn vs Van Heerden – LIVE!
Conor Benn is back in action tonight as he faces Chris van Heerden in a welterweight main event at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The formidable ‘Destroyer’ is looking to sustain momentum after dominating Chris Algieri before Christmas as he faces his final test before being handed a major step-up in boxing’s deep 147lbs division.
Fights against the likes of Kell Brook, Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman, Danny or Mikey Garcia could await in future, but first Benn must take care of South Africa’s experienced former IBO world champion Van Heerden, who should present a new challenge as a tricky southpaw.
On Saturday’s intriguing undercard, Chris Billam-Smith retained his European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles with an impressive stoppage in his rematch with Tommy McCarthy, while Campbell Hatton continued his professional career with a six-round win over Ezequiel Gregores.
Alycia Baumgardner also successfully defended her WBC and IBO super-featherweight titles for the first time with a dominant win over Edith Soledad Matthysse.
Boxing schedule and results
Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden
Chris Billam-Smith bt Tommy McCarthy
Campbell Hatton bt Ezequiel Gregores
Alycia Baumgardner bt Edith Soledad Matthysse
Jack Cullen bt Vladimir Belujsky
Jordan Thompson bt Mariano Angel Gudino
Thomas Hart bt Ben Ridings
Luke Evans draw Miguel Cesario Antin
James Metcalf bt Evgenii Vazem
Follow Benn vs Van Heerden LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!
Live updates
Benn vs Van Heerden
A BIG RIGHT HAND FROM BENN EARLY IN THE SECOND HURTS VAN HEERDEN!
BENN GOES FOR THE FINISH, UNLEASHING A VOLLEY OF MASSIVE PUNCHES!
VAN HEERDEN IS IN MASSIVE TROUBLE AND HITS THE CANVAS!
THE REFEREE WAVES IT OFF! BENN GETS THE EXPLOSIVE FINISH WITH TWO MINUTES LEFT IN ROUND TWO!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Benn trying to find those big shots early on, with some furious close-range exchanges between the two fighters.
Benn detonates a couple of sharp left hooks, also landing a stinging right hand. Such venom on those punches.
But Van Heerden has landed some nice shots of his own, countering well and throwing the impressive hook, uppercut combo.
A really lively first round ends with a couple more decent counter punches from the South African, who certainly doesn’t seem overawed.
Benn vs Van Heerden
A superb atmosphere as announcer David Diamante whips the crowd into a frenzy with his introductions as usual.
Benn gets a terrific reception… can he put on another explosive show?
We are underway!
Time for the main event ring walks!
Boos for Van Heerden as he makes his way to the ring, draped in a red gown and looking relaxed despite the hostile atmosphere.
Conor Benn has taken his time to step out of the shadows of his famous father, former super-middleweight champion Nigel, writes Matt Majendie.
The 25-year-old welcomes the comparisons but has no intention of emulating his father’s record in one regard, notably the losses which Benn Sr experienced against Michael Watson, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins.
Ahead of his 21st fight, against Chris van Heerden, as the headline act ahead of the Matchroom show at Manchester Arena on Saturday night, the younger Benn said: “I can’t wrap my head around losing. I just ain’t got it in me to lose.
“But I think you can learn a lot from a loss. When I’ve had hard fights that should have been easy, I took that as a loss, I took that as a lesson.”
As a southpaw, Van Heerden poses a threat to his rival’s unbeaten record, with Benn’s trainer, Tony Sims, readily admitting earlier in the week his fighter has struggled to adapt against left-handers. Plus, there is the danger that his camp have allowed themselves to look too much to what lies ahead for the fighter beyond Saturday night.
Click here to read the full fight preview
Benn vs Van Heerden next
Just the main event to come now in Manchester!
Conor Benn takes the next step on his welterweight journey next, defending his WBA contintental belt for the ninth time against former IBO world champion Chris van Heerden from South Africa.
Can ‘The Destroyer’ put on another impressive show to edge closer to a world title chance and tee up a huge showdown later in the year?
That was a brutal, brutal assault from Billam-Smith – McCarthy did well to withstand it as long as he did, and thankfully he’s up on his feet and okay.
There were some devastating hooks, straight right hands and a nasty uppercut all picked perfectly and with pinpoint accuracy with his opponent reeling and squirming on the ropes.
It was a massive right that proved the finishing blow.
What a spectacular stoppage.
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy
McCarthy is trapped dangerously against the ropes midway through round eight!
Billam-Smith is thundering in some accurate, vicious shots. How much of this can McCarthy take?!
Another huge right hand sends the Irishman crashing face down to the canvas.
That was a heavy fall and there’s no way he will continue.
BILLAM-SMITH WINS! WHAT A FINISH!
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy
Billam-Smith looks fresher at the start of the seventh, perfectly teeing up a couple of strong right hands.
But McCarthy comes back with a jolting right of his own.
It’s more gruelling stuff, with McCarthy trying to set traps so he can bludgeon forward on the counter.
Blood now visible around the left eye of the Irishman.
Billam-Smith with two decent counter shots just before the bell. Enough to take a close round?
