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
Champion Baumgardner, 27, is 11-1 (7 KOs), while challenger Matthysse, 41, is 17-11-1 (1 KO).
Benn vs Van Heerden
Next up, Alycia Baumgardner and Edith Soledad Matthysse clash with the WBC women’s super-featherweight title on the line, as well as the IBO belt.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Jack Cullen def. Vladimir Belujsky via decision (80-72).
As expected! A good response by the Briton after his stoppage loss last time out.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 8
Cullen’s corner is calling for him to go for the finish in this final round.
Twice the Briton catches Belujsky with big shots to the head, and both times the Slovak wobbles but survives!
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 7
Belujsky’s hands are low and so is his jaw. He’s breathing heavily.
He musters some clean hooks to the body but without too much power.
Meanwhile, Cullen is looking sharper and sharper by the minute.
He mixes up his offence while backing up the Slovak, and shows good head movement to evade Belujsky’s tired counter punches.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 6
Cullen produces his best round of the fight so far.
The Briton alternates between slick jabs and some short right hooks upstairs, two of which buckle the legs of Belujsky.
Perhaps Cullen doesn’t sense it on either occasion, as he backs off both times...
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 5
Heavy right and left hooks to the body by Belujsky.
Cullen backs him up against the ropes and the pair trade left hooks to one another’s heads.
Another left hook to the head from Belujsky. Cullen responds with a tidy jab.
Cullen takes some more big hooks to give some, before firing off more clean jabs.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 4
More jab-heavy work from Cullen. He looks a little hesitant, perhaps as he was stopped last time out.
Belujsky hasn’t adapted his approach much, but it does result in him landing a big right hand down the pipe!
It’s a clean one-two from the Slovak late in the round.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 3
Cullen targets the body of Belujsky nicely with some intermittent jabs.
Belujsky is loading up too much on his shots in this round – big single punches – and he walks back to his corner with effort at the end of the frame.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 2
This round, Cullen is more positive in pressing forward and working behind his jab.
He’s again caught by a fierce right hook from Belujsky, which almost renders the Briton’s guard completely useless.
Cullen uses the jab to set up another left hook to the body in a better round for him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments