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
Next up, Chris Billam-Smith and Tommy McCarthy meet in a cruiserweight rematch.
Dorset fighter Billam-Smith (14-1, 10 KOs) beat Irishman McCarthy (18-3, 9 KOs) via split decision last July.
Will this one, for European and Commonwealth cruiserweight gold, be as close? Let’s find out...
Benn vs Van Heerden
Campbell Hatton def. Ezequiel Gregores via decision (60-54).
A fair result but lots to work on for Hatton, who moves to 7-0, no doubt.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Hatton vs Gregores – Round 6
Final round.
Hatton’s flicking out the jab. Gregores is looking for a finish.
He can’t find it and we’ll go to the judges’ scorecards...
Benn vs Van Heerden
Hatton vs Gregores – Round 5
Hatton walks onto a stern right hook! He’s still being fairly reckless, though there’s no debate he’s dominating the fight.
One-two and an uppercut from Hatton.
Gregores is stumbling all over the place when he misses with his punches...
Benn vs Van Heerden
Hatton vs Gregores – Rounds 3 and 4
Gregores still looks tired, and he’s starting to get wobbled now.
Counter hooks from Hatton are the most effective punches right now.
Meanwhile, Gregores’ punches are increasingly wild and sloppy.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Hatton vs Gregores – Round 2
More of the same from Hatton: hyper-aggression in the form of relentless, spiteful hooks – many of them to the body.
There’s an element of reckless abandon to this, though, and twice the Briton is caught flush with left hooks to the head.
It’s still Hatton’s round, but his corner should probably urge some caution here.
Hatton took those punches well, but how many can he eat overall?
Benn vs Van Heerden
Hatton vs Gregores – Round 1
A very aggressive start from Hatton, who flings out one-twos and vicious hooks to the body.
He’s storming forward.
Gregores, 28, looks to be breathing heavily already.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Next up, Campbell Hatton – son of British boxing icon Ricky – faces Ezequiel Gregores at lightweight.
Twenty-one-year-old Hatton is 6-0, 2 KOs, while Argentinian Gregores is 3-9.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Alycia Baumgardner def. Edith Soledad Matthysse via unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 100-90).
A shutout victory for Baumgardner on all three judges’ scorecards. The American retains her super-featherweight belts with ease!
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