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 celebrates his victory at the AO Arena in Manchester (Action Images via Reuters)

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.

Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden LIVE

• Conor Benn def. Chris van Heerden via second-round TKO (0:59)
• Chris Billam-Smith def. Tommy McCarthy via eighth-round knockout (1:28)
• Campbell Hatton def. Ezequiel Gregores via decision (60-54)
• Alycia Baumgardner def. Edith Soledad Matthysse via unanimous decision (100-90 x3)
• Jack Cullen def. Vladimir Belujsky via decision (80-72)

[16 April 2022 19:19 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

Cullen vs Belujsky – Round 1

Belujsky comes forward and takes the centre of the ring. The pair trade jabs.

An aggressive combination sees the Slovak miss with a couple of shots but land a hard right hook up top.

Cullen finds a home for a left hook to the body.

Another good hook upstairs from Belujsky. A strong first round for him.

[16 April 2022 19:14 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

Here we go... Eight rounds scheduled.

[16 April 2022 19:12 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

Lancashire fighter Cullen, 28, has a professional recoord of 20-3-1 (9 knockouts).

Slovakia’s Belujsky, meanwhile, is 12-3-1 (8 KOs) at 26 years old.

[16 April 2022 19:10 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

The main card begins with a light-heavyweight match-up between Jack Cullen and Vladimir Belujsky!

[16 April 2022 19:10 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

Here’s a quick look at the preliminary results from this evening’s card:

James Metcalf def. Evgenii Vazem via fifth-round TKO

Luke Evans and Miguel Cesario Antin fight to draw (56-56)

[16 April 2022 19:02 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

The main card is now upon us!

[16 April 2022 18:43 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

“I believe I’m ready for a world title now,” said Benn this week. “I’m ready for the top dogs now. The proof is in the pudding, it’s not like I’m going to beat a domestic fighter and going, ‘Yeah, I’m world level.’

“It’s the form that I’m beating Formella more convincingly than Shawn Porter, Samuel Vargas more convincingly than Vergil Ortiz and Amir Khan, Adrian Granados more convincingly than Errol Spence.

“I have come a long way from being a raw novice but I am where I am. People are having a moan about Van Heerden, he was good enough for Ennis in his 26th fight but he’s not good enough for my 21st?

“It’s like a back handed compliment because they’re unintentionally putting me up there with those fighters but saying I’m too good to be fighting them.”

[16 April 2022 18:20 · Alex Pattle]

Benn vs Van Heerden

Full card

Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden

Chris Billam-Smith vs Tommy McCarthy

Alycia Baumgardner vs Edith Soledad Matthysse

Jordan Thompson vs Mariano Angel Gudino

Thomas Whittaker-Hart vs Ben Ridings

Campbell Hatton vs Ezequiel Gregores

Jack Cullen vs Vladimir Belujsky

Luke Evans vs Miguel Cesario Antin

James Metcalf vs Evgenii Vazem

[16 April 2022 17:58 · Alex Pattle]

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.

The pair will main event at the AO Arena in Manchester as 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 knockouts). 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.

Benn said this week: “I believe I’m ready for a world title now. I’m ready for the top dogs now. The proof is in the pudding, it’s not like I’m going to beat a domestic fighter and going, ‘Yeah, I’m world level.’”