Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live round-by-round updates from the main event and undercard
Conor Benn earned an emphatic victory over Chris van Heerden on Saturday night, stopping the South African in the second round to retain the WBA Continental welterweight title. Benn, son of British boxing icon Nigel, remained unbeaten at 21-0 with the win, the TKO result marking the 14th finish that the 25-year-old has secured.
Benn had played down the significance of Van Heerden’s experience and southpaw stance all week, and so it proved that the 34-year-old was unable to trouble his younger opponent in the pair’s Manchester main event. Although Van Heerden landed some well-timed shots as Benn ducked upon entries in the first round, the Briton was unfazed and pressed forward to connect with more powerful shots than his challenger could muster.
In the second round, Benn continued to back up the South African, throwing numerous feints but remaining out of range. In a split second, however, Benn closed the distance with a jousting right hand, which marked the beginning of the end of Van Heerden. Benn followed the punch with a left uppercut, before a variety of right hands – a hook, uppercut and overhand – sent Van Heerden crashing to the canvas.
The former IBO champion did not come close to answering the count, and the bout was waved off inside the first minute of the second round.
Re-live round-by-round updates from Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden and the undercard fights, below.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Chris Billam-Smith def. Tommy McCarthy via eighth-round knockout (1:28).
The rivals embrace. Billam-Smith retains the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight belts.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 8
McCarthy is backed up against the ropes, and Billam-Smith lands a clean right straight! That hurts the Irishman!
Now a left hook from Billam-Smith! McCarthy is teetering... Billam-Smith tees off and down goes McCarthy!
He can’t beat the count! It’s all over!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 7
One-two lands for Billam-Smith. Good body work from both men in the clinch.
Barry McGuigan, a former champion and the father of Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan, is shouting from ringside.
Decent one-two from McCarthy. Billam-Smith ends the round with a nice counter.
Like his opponent, McCarthy is now cut around his left eye.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 6
A left hook lands for McCarthy as he lunges in! Now he paws at Billam-Smith with jabs.
Now Billam-Smith leans on his rival in the corner, intermittently throwing right hands but only grazing McCarthy’s gloves.
Good body hooks from McCarthy. Billam-Smith is bleeding from around his left eye.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 5
Billam-Smith has McCarthy against the ropes, is leaning on the Irishman and is throwing body hooks and uppercuts to the head.
The pair move into space and McCarthy launches wide hooks to the body.
A better spell from him late in the round.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 4
Billam-Smith lands a one-two of hooks to the body. He repeats it.
Two left hooks upstairs trouble McCarthy! Now two spearing right straights!
The Irishman comes back with a good left hook, but Billam-Smith is applying more pressure now.
A left hook has McCarthy stumbling as the round ends!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 3
Billam-Smith with a flurry of body hooks before grabbing McCarthy. He then throws hooks to the head as he backs off.
McCarthy responds with a nice combination, then a clean one-two! Billam-Smith has taken McCarthy’s best shots well so far.
The pair clinch, then McCarthy slings some hooks to the body of Billam-Smith before pushing his rival away.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 2
Left-hook, right-hook combination from Billam-Smith in close.
McCarthy creates distance but is caught on the end of a jab.
Now Billam-Smith misses with a jab and McCarthy clinches. A lot of holding already.
Again the men separate. McCarthy lands a one-two and leans on Billam-Smith on the ropes.
Once they’re free, McCarthy lands a big overhand right to end the round!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 1
Billam-Smith, 31, is on the front foot early on. McCarthy, also 31, is warned by the referee already for leading with his head as his ooopponent enters.
Billam-Smith catches McCarthy, who leans into a left hook. McCarthy has been a bit too passive in this opening round.
The pair clinch and McCarthy fires off some heavy punches. Some of them look like hammer fists...
The cruiserweights separate, before McCarthy lands a nice counter left hook to the body of Billam-Smith.
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