4/16 DAZN: Conor Benn vs Chris Van Heerden

[patscorpio]

Conor Benn vs. Chris Van Heerden Finalized: April 16 in Manchester
BY RANDOM HITS
Published Wed Mar 09, 2022, 11:08 AM EST


Conor Benn will defend his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against South Africa’s Chris Van Heerden at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday April 16, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

‘The Destroyer’ (20-0, 13 KOs) secured a stunning knockout win over former World Champion Chris Algieri last time out in December, taking out the American with a brutal right hand in the fourth round of their top of the bill clash at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

The 25-year-old contender from Essex holds top ten rankings with the WBA, WBO and IBF after notching three wins during a breakout 2021 – and the British star believes that 2022 will be an even bigger year for him as he works towards a World Title shot.

‘The Heat’ (28-2-1, 12 KOs), born in Johannesburg, South Africa, previously held the IBO Welterweight World Title from 2011 until 2013, beating Kaizer Mabuza, Sebastian Andres Lujan and Matthew Hatton during his Title reign.

Now residing in Santa Monica, California, USA the 34-year-old southpaw is eager to test himself against one of the fastest rising Welterweights in world boxing and should provide valuable rounds having only been stopped once by Errol Spence in 32 fights.

The undercard sees Bournemouth’s European Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith (14-1, 10 KOs) rematch Belfast’s former champion Tommy McCarthy (18-3, 9 KOs) following their back and forth battle at the Matchroom HQ last summer.

‘The Gentleman’ withstood a late fightback from McCarthy as he edged out a narrow split points decision to add the British and European Cruiserweight Titles to his Commonwealth Title, before defending his EBU crown with a points win over Dylan Bregeon in Sheffield.

Manchester Super-Featherweight contender Zelfa Barrett (27-1, 16 KOs) looks to build on his impressive IBF World Title Eliminator win over Australia’s Bruno Tarimo on the Parker vs. Chisora 2 undercard when he challenges European Champion Faroukh Kourbanov (19-3, 3 KOs) – a former opponent of Joe Cordina.

Hard hitting Cruiserweight talent Jordan Thompson (12-0, 10 KOs) has scored two big first round knockouts since putting pen to paper on a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn last June, and the 28-year-old from Manchester will be out to impress his home fans again as he works towards his first Title shot in 2022.

Hyde Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (6-0, 2 KOs) quickly returns to action after earning the best win of his career over Joe Ducker last month, Little Lever’s Jack Cullen (20-3-1, 9 KOs) aims to bounce back from his stoppage loss to Kevin Lele Sadjo in December and Alnwick Welterweight Cyrus Pattinson (3-0, 1 KO) hopes to make it two wins from two fights in 2022.

"I’m excited to step into the ring with Chris Van Heerden," said Benn. "Van Heerden is a tough operator and a southpaw who will be in there giving it his all in every round. For me and my team it’s now about fighting every style that we can face as we continue to head towards World Championship status and Van Heerden brings something different to the table than I’ve not faced before.

"With that being said this is another stepping stone for me on my journey to the top, I haven’t seen anything in Van Heerden’s previous fights that I can’t deal with, and I expect another explosive victory on April 16. If he comes to fight or he wants to box, I can deliver that smoke either way! The AO Arena has to be one of the most exciting venues to fight in. I love Manchester. I get shown a lot of love and support up in Manchester – it’s a fighting city. I bring the entertainment every time I fight and I can’t wait for April 16.”

"Sometimes it takes 10 years for that one year to come around that completely changes your life," said Van Heerden. "This is my year. I want to thank Conor Benn for taking the fight, knowing that I'm coming to beat him in his backyard. I also want to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing for taking this risk and my manager Peter Kahn for getting this fight done. I am looking forward to putting on a show in Manchester on DAZN."

“Conor Benn is fast becoming one of the biggest stars in British Boxing and he faces by far the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on Chris Van Heerden in Manchester on April 16,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Van Heerden has mixed at the very highest level and faced fearsome Welterweight ‘Boots’ Ennis last time out before the fight was ruled a no contest due to a clash of heads - he always comes to fight, and I expect a gruelling battle for Conor. We are building an action-packed card and already announce the rematch of one of the Fight of the Year contender between Chris Billam-Smith and Tommy McCarthy and local star Zelfa Barrett challenges for the European Title. I expect another blistering statement from Conor Benn live worldwide on DAZN.”

“We are excited to welcome back one of the brightest prospects in boxing, Conor Benn, to the platform when he takes on former IBO Welterweight Champion Chris Van Heerden on April 16,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “This is another huge test for Conor as he continues his quest to capture a World Title in 2022. We pride ourselves in having the best schedule in boxing, and with the announce of this matchup in April and early May you will see Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, GGG, Taylor vs. Serrano and Conor all fighting live on DAZN.”

 

[patscorpio]

Hearn Responds to Benn-Van Heerden Criticism: It Was OK For Ennis But Not For Benn?

BY SEAN NAM
Published Mon Mar 21, 2022, 09:21 AM EDT


Eddie Hearn believes there is a double standard when it comes to the blowback he has received regarding the latest choice of opponent for rising welterweight Conor Benn.

Benn, the son of famed two-division world champion Nigel Benn, is slated to take on tough but shopworn veteran Chris van Heerden of South Africa on April 16 at Manchester Arena in Manchester.

The selection of van Heerden for Benn, thought to be one of the leading lights of the next generation of British boxing, was met with a collective groan by the boxing world, which was led to believe that a bigger name was in the works. Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, had mentioned possible opponents such as Adrien Broner and Maurice Hooker.

Hearn thinks that the criticism Benn (20-0, 13 KO) has received for fighting van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs) is disingenuous, considering that he does not recall that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, the southpaw from Philadelphia who is regarded as one of the most talented, young welterweights in the sport, experienced a similar degree of censure from the public; Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) was van Heerden’s last fight, which was declared a no decision in the first round after van Heerden suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt.

“Let’s get one thing straight: [It was] 18 months ago, yes, but Van Heerden’s last fight was against Boots Ennis headlining on Showtime,” Hearn told Seconds Out. “And 18 months ago it was okay for Boots Ennis but it’s not okay for Conor Benn?”

Hearn, to be fair, had a deal consummated for Hooker to fight Benn, but Hooker, the former junior welterweight titlist from Dallas, Texas, had to back out after sustaining an injury. Hence van Heerden.

“Hooker accepted the fight. We did the deal with Hooker and then he pulled out a week later with a back injury,” Hearn said. “Van Heerden’s a good fight for Conor Benn. He’s a southpaw. He’s (Benn) not fought a competitive southpaw his whole career.”

“I think this is a real fight,” Hearn continued. “Van Heerden will come to fight. He’s extremely competitive. He’s strong.

“But I think you’re going to see wh

 

[KingOFKings]

If Benn can win this I will finally give him some props.

 

[patscorpio]

i understand why van heerden was chosen but he hasnt won any significant fight in his career..he's known more for a loss and a NC lol

 

[Electric Ladyland]

trash ass fighter, trash fights

i bet he’ll call John Molina out of retirement next, then Soto Karass

 

[patscorpio]

@aceboon

 

[The Ruler 09]

 

[The Ruler 09]

 

[The Ruler 09]

 

[Megadeus]

it's still FXCK Van Heerden for that Ennis shyt.

I hope he gets slumped brutally.

 

[The Ruler 09]

 

[The Ruler 09]

 

[R=G]

If Benn can win this I will finally give him some props.

Lol

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

this is just a warm up fight before Brook!

 

[patscorpio]

if Benn loses or struggles with Van Heerden, will definitely be giving him the side eye like