Errol Spence vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE: Latest updates, result and reaction tonight
Follow all the fallout from the main-event title fight
Errol Spence Jr added another welterweight title to his collection by stopping Yordenis Ugas on Saturday night.
Spence Jr, 32, retained the WBC and IBF belts at 147lbs while simultaneously taking his Cuban opponent’s WBA Super title. Prior to Saturday night’s main event, it had been 16 months since Spence Jr competed, with the American having beaten compatriot Danny Garcia via decision in December 2020 before going on to have surgery on his eye. That fight took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where this Saturday’s headline bout was also staged. The 35-year-old Ugas (27-5, 12 knockouts), meanwhile, last fought in August, outpointing icon Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
The Cuban could not replicate that statement win, however, as he fell victim to Spence’s vicious and varied offence in front of a roaring Texas crowd. Though Ugas was spirited throughout, he began to wilt physically as the fight progressed. His best moment came with a one-two in the sixth round, when a distracted Spence expected the referee to retrieve his mouthguard. The punches sent the American staggering against the ropes, but Spence went on to produce his best work, causing Ugas’ right eye to swell significantly as the rounds passed by. Ultimately the injury led the official to call a stop to the action in the 10th round, ensuring a TKO victory for Spence Jr, the southpaw thus remaining unbeaten (28-0, 22 KOs) as he targets a unification clash with Terence Crawford.
Re-live round-by-round updates from Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas this evening.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Benn asks the crowd if they want to see him fight Khan. They cheer. Khan plays it down, saying he wants to focus on spending time with family.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Benn: “Everyone thought southpaw was gonna be a problem, but when I said I’d beat anyone they put in front of me...”
Benn beckons Amir Khan into the ring. He obliges. Are they trying to set up a fight?
Benn: “You’ve got to ask the man here himself!”
Khan: “I’ve just come here to enjoy it like everyone else.”
Boos rain down...
Benn vs Van Heerden
Conor Benn def. Chris van Heerden via second-round TKO (0:59).
Benn vs Van Heerden
The opponents embrace. Good to see Van Heerden on his feet and with his wits about him.
After the initial right hand, it was a left hook and series of further rights that put down Van Heerden – a hook, an uppercut, and an overhand.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Round 2
Lots of feints from Benn. He has Van Heerden backing up but is out of range.
He closes it, though, with a right straight, and it’s the beginning of the end for the South African!
Benn pours on shots, and down goes Van Heerden. He doesn’t come close to making the count!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Round 1
Benn goes forward at once.
The Briton pours on early combinations, which draw a big response from the crowd in Manchester, though Van Heerden lands a nice counter right hook – a short sot that triggers a decent combination from the South African.
Benn crouches and throws a right hook, before standing and landing a left hook. More left hooks get through and Van Heerden looks a little wobbly already, but he still finds homes for some nice counter punches.
He times Benn well when the Briton ducks, too.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Conor Benn will put his unbeaten record and WBA Continental welterweight title on the line tonight, as the Briton takes on South Africa’s Chris van Heerden.
Benn, son of boxing icon Nigel, attempts to move closer to a marquee match-up at 147lbs. Last time out, the 25-year-old Benn stopped Chris Algieri in the fourth round in November, improving his record to 20-0 (13 KOs).
Van Heerden, meanwhile, fought to a No Contest against Jaron Ennis due to a cut to the South African’s head from an accidental headbutt. That bout took place in December 2020, so the 32-year-old Van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs) will likely have to overcome some ring rust as well as hostile fans if he is to beat Benn.
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