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.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
Larios Jr is tough and coming forward with intent.
Counter-left lands for Agyarko at the end of the seventh.
Peter McGrail up next against Engel Gomez, the former world champion looking to make it 2-0 since turning over.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
Big shots from Agyarko towards the end of the fifth.
Larios Jr seemingly hurt badly in the corner.
Big left hooks, then the Irishman squares up and lets his hands go. The bell saves the American.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
Tony Bellew has given Agyarko every round through four on the DAZN broadcast.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
A solid round for Agyarko, the left is a potent weapon.
Larios Jr able to absorb them and smother any follow-up work.
As we head into the fifth round, the key for Agyarko will be the combinations.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
Good footwork from Larios Jr here through two rounds.
He connects with a left hook.
Agyarko also looking to that shot, but has a hard right uppercut that squeezes through towards the end of the round.
Agyarko vs Larios Jr
Agyarko looks very composed early on here.
A stiff jab connects within seconds of the first bell.
Larios Jr looking to counter with hard shots and you can tell the Irishman is aware of the potential danger he poses with the cautious movement forward.
Caoimhin Agyarko faces Noe Larios Jr on Benn vs Algieri undercard
Caoimhin Agyarko (9-0) set to face off with fellow unbeaten fighter Noe Larios Jr. (14-0).
Larios Jr, from California, but has fought out of nearby Tijuana.
Can he trouble the Irishman?
Firuza Sharipova reveals secret weapon in bid to dethrone Katie Taylor
“Sofya has helped me to prepare for this fight,” said Sharipova. “No one else knows how to fight Taylor like Sofya Ochigava.
“Therefore, not only I, Firuza Sharipova, will be in the ring against Taylor, but the intelligence of Sofya Ochigava, who has prepared me very well for this fight, will be with me.
“Sofya has been in my camp from the very beginning, has passed on all her knowledge to me and has done her best to help me defeat Katie Taylor.”
Eddie Hearn: Conor Benn set for Adrien Broner if victorious over Chris Algieri
“If Conor’s successful on Saturday, there’s talk of him potentially fighting the winner of Khan versus Kell Brook,” Hearn says in his BBC Sport column.
“To be honest I tried so hard to make the Benn v Khan fight, but I don’t think either of those guys will continue in the sport after their fight next year.
“I look instead at a potential fight with Adrien Broner. It would be amazing to bring ‘The Problem’ to the UK in what would be a huge arena fight.
“We’ve seen recently though the danger of overlooking opponents and Conor must be completely focused on the test of Algieri.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments