Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri LIVE: Result and latest updates and reaction
Follow all the fallout from an evening of fights at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena
Conor Benn secured a statement knockout win over Chris Algieri on Saturday night, finishing the American late in the fourth round to retain his WBA Continental welterweight title.
The victory in Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena also saw 25-year-old Benn, son of boxing icon Nigel, extend his unbeaten run to 20-0 (13 KOs). Algieri, a former WBO junior welterweight champion, returned to the ring in August after two years out, and the 37-year-old looked somewhat tentative on Saturday night despite staying light on his feet throughout. Although the American raced to the centre of the ring at the start of the main event, which followed Katie Taylor’s points win against Firuza Sharipova, he was soon backed up by Benn.
The Briton quickly established what would be his predominant tactic, firing off hooks to the body. In the end, however, it would be a one-two to the jaw that sent Algieri lolloping to the canvas with two seconds left in the fourth round. “I silenced all the doubters,” Benn said after the fight. “‘The next fight is going to be a test?’ They’re not tests. Nobody has done that to Algieri. What more do I have to do? I’m a top, world-level athlete. I didn’t expect nothing else. 2022, listen, [Amir] Khan or [Kell] Brook. Business is business, I’ll have the winner. We’ll fight [Adrien] Broner in America. If he don’t want it, I fancy [Yordenis] Ugas.”
Re-live updates from Benn vs Algieri and the entire undercard, below.
Eddie Hearn: Katie Taylor just needs to win tonight!
Katie Taylor up next...
“Sharipova is an unknown quantity, she’s the first Kazakh fighter to fight for the undisputed title,” says Eddie Hearn.
“She hasn’t stopped moaning. They’re on edge. She’s technically good. Sometimes doesn’t look so, she fights like Taylor.
“She can punch. They’ve taken this really seriously. Sometimes Katie stands in the pocket and makes it harder than she needs to. She just needs to win tonight.”
Robbie Davies Jr reacts to victory
"It's very satisfying, Hank has been in with some top names. I know that wasn't the best version of Lundy, but I don't think anybody has done that to him.
“I caught him with a shot I didn't even know I'd hurt him.
“Now with Shane, I’m in a rebuilding phase, I’ve had two back-to-back knockouts.”
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Robbie Davies Jr vs Hank Lundy
Lundy’s legs unstable still. Davies Jr not emptying the tank yet though.
What a sensational finish! A right straight down the pipe.
Lundy falls through the ropes and can’t recover, a statement stoppage win for the Liverpudlian.
A first stoppage loss for the Philadelphian in five years, when Terence Crawford dispatched him.
Lundy has a leg injury and can’t attend the announcement for the winner as he receives treatment.
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Robbie Davies Jr vs Hank Lundy
Davies Jr pushing the jab out with plenty of pop early doors here.
Lundy looking illusive here too, he won’t be giving anything to Davies Jr here.
It’s a bit scrappy but suddenly Lundy in big trouble.
He’s all over the place, the Philadelphian, the bell saves him!!
It was short right from close range, Lundy was all over the place!
Davies Jr then slipped and stumbled low into the ropes, but that was a slip.
Conor Benn: I'm filled with rage after fights
“I'm filled with rage after fights. It's because all my career I've dealt with this and that,” says Benn.
“What about now, mate? It makes me angry. I was a young kid trying to achieve something, not living off my Dad.”
Up next is Robbie Davies Jr vs Henry Lundy.
Then it’s the co-main event: Katie Taylor vs Firuza Sharipova, expected about 9:30pm.
Then it’s time for Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri, expected about 10:30pm.
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Joe Cordina UD Miko Khatchatryan
“A GB graduate, he’s proven, we don’t live in a world of 20-30 fights, they fight the best amateurs on a regular basis,” Tony Bellew says.
“People turn over with four three-minute rounds. In the WBSB, like Lomachenko and Usyk, they can come into the pros and take on a faster track.”
Andy Lee adds: “Sometimes you need the progression and that fight between world level. I’m not sure this was it, like Conor Benn against Chris Algieri tonight.”
Benn vs Algieri undercard: Joe Cordina UD Miko Khatchatryan
Cordina gets it on the cards with all three judges giving it to the Welshman: 100-90, 98-92, 98-92.
A tricky night’s work, he’ll want to challenge for a world title in 2022, but that was tough breaking down the movement of Khatchatryan.
Andy Lee: “I think that sets up Cordina really well, a good fight, 10 rounds, if he is to go on to a world title, that’s perfect preparation for him.”
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