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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.’”
Follow live, round-by-round updates from Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden and the undercard fights this evening.
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.
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 22:11
Benn vs Van Heerden
Chris Billam-Smith def. Tommy McCarthy via eighth-round knockout (1:28).
The rivals embrace. Billam-Smith retains the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight belts.
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 22:05
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 8
McCarthy is backed up against the ropes, and Billam-Smith lands a clean right straight! That hurts the Irishman!
Now a left hook from Billam-Smith! McCarthy is teetering… Billam-Smith tees off and down goes McCarthy!
He can’t beat the count! It’s all over!
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 22:04
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 7
One-two lands for Billam-Smith. Good body work from both men in the clinch.
Barry McGuigan, a former champion and the father of Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan, is shouting from ringside.
Decent one-two from McCarthy. Billam-Smith ends the round with a nice counter.
Like his opponent, McCarthy is now cut around his left eye.
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 21:59
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 6
A left hook lands for McCarthy as he lunges in! Now he paws at Billam-Smith with jabs.
Now Billam-Smith leans on his rival in the corner, intermittently throwing right hands but only grazing McCarthy’s gloves.
Good body hooks from McCarthy. Billam-Smith is bleeding from around his left eye.
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 21:54
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 5
Billam-Smith has McCarthy against the ropes, is leaning on the Irishman and is throwing body hooks and uppercuts to the head.
The pair move into space and McCarthy launches wide hooks to the body.
A better spell from him late in the round.
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 21:50
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 4
Billam-Smith lands a one-two of hooks to the body. He repeats it.
Two left hooks upstairs trouble McCarthy! Now two spearing right straights!
The Irishman comes back with a good left hook, but Billam-Smith is applying more pressure now.
A left hook has McCarthy stumbling as the round ends!
Alex Pattle16 April 2022 21:46
