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
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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