Benn vs Van Heerden: UK ring walk time, TV details, undercard, odds

04/16/2022

Conor Benn continues his journey towards the welterweight elite as he returns to the ring against experienced southpaw Chris van Heerden TONIGHT: Everything to know ahead of the fight

Conor Benn takes on southpaw Chris van Heerden in Manchester tonight
The 25-year-old emerged as a legitimate welterweight contender last year
There were hopes he would square off against Kell Brook in a British dust-up
Instead he faces another learning fight against experienced opposition
Sign up here to watch tonight’s fight exclusively on DAZN

Conor Benn returns to the ring tonight against experienced campaigner Chris van Heerden as the Brit continues his journey towards a world title shot.

The 25-year-old claimed emphatic victories over Samuel Vargas, Adrian Granados and Chris Algieri last year to emerge as a legitimate contender in the welterweight division.

He was ringside as Kell Brook dismantled Amir Khan in their long-awaited grudge match in February, with hopes ‘The Destroyer’ would take on the former in an all-British dust-up next.

Benn has insisted that Brook priced himself out of the proposed match-up, demanding a whopping £10million, before his bout against southpaw Van Heerden was officially confirmed.

Van Heerden has just one round of action in the bank since 2019, with his 2020 bout against welterweight prospect Jaron Ennis quickly ruled a no contest following an accidental clash of heads.

The South African, who has shared the ring with Errol Spence Jr, also picking up a win against Matthew Hatton back in 2013, will look to prize away Benn’s WBA Continental Welterweight title.

With the spectacle swiftly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.

Conor Benn returns to the ring on April 16 against experienced campaigner Chris van Heerden

Benn insists southpaw Van Heerden will present problems he’s not previously encountered

The clash between Benn and Van Heerden is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 16 at the Manchester Arena.

The pair are expected to walk to the ring at around 10pm for those in the UK, though that will of course depend on results beforehand.

There is also plenty of action on the undercard, with Chris Billam-Smith taking on Tommy McCarthy once more, having edged to a split decision victory when they first squared off in July last year.

Campbell Hatton will also be back out as he looks to make it 7-0 as a professional.

How to watch the fight

The fight, which will be a 12-round contest, will be broadcast live on DAZN.

It will be available to stream in over 200 countries across the globe, with Australia and New Zealand the notable exceptions.

Customers will be able to stream the fight via the app on their television, console, mobile, tablet or computer device.

Sportsmail will also be covering the fight live, so you can keep up-to-date with us.

Benn vs Van Heerden: The key stats

Conor Benn

Age: 25

Height: 5ft 8in

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 20-0-0

Knockouts: 13

Rounds: 82

Debut: 2016

Chris Van Heerden

Age: 34

Height: 5ft 9in

Stance: Southpaw

Record: 28-2-1

Knockouts: 12

Rounds: 234

Debut: 2006

Benn stopped Chris Algieri in ruthless fashion to cap off a scintillating 2021 in December

Van Heerden has shared the ring with some notable names, including Errol Spence Jr

Fight card in full

Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden
Chris Billam-Smith vs Tommy McCarthy
Alycia Baumgardner vs Edith Soledad Matthysse
Campbell Hatton vs Ezequiel Gregores
Jordan Thompson vs Mariano Angel Gudino
Jack Cullen vs Vladimir Belujsky
Thomas Whittaker-Hart vs Ben Ridings
Luke Evans vs Miguel Cesario Antin
James Metcalf vs Evgeni Vazem

What’s been said?

Benn, who now stands on the periphery of world level, insists he will throw everything at his impending opponent.

‘If I see an opportunity I’m going to take it and try take him out,’ he said at Thursday’s presser. ‘He’s saying I can’t box, which was a headline I believe I read.

‘He’s backtracking now, but last time I checked Algieri got outboxed and knocked out, unconscious. I can do both, ask Sebastian Formella. I’ve had 13 knockouts out of 20 fights – what were all the rest then, because I won them quite convincingly?

‘He can think what he wants, at the end of the day, but when I get in there I’m down to business. And if I see an opportunity, mark my words, if I see a slight opening I will take it, I will throw everything at him.

‘All I’ve got to see is a little twinge, a little eye-twitch and I’m on him.’

Benn insists opponents of Van Heerden’s style and calibre will benefit him later in his career

Van Heerden, on the other hand, believes he’s the better boxer of the two.

‘It’s always been a dream and a vision, I never lost that vision,’ he said. ‘I’ve always worked hard to be here, because I do believe I still have what it takes to be in that top 10.

‘I see it. I didn’t come here for a paycheck. I didn’t come here to get a fight. I came here to get a win, to get my career back on track.

‘I do believe in myself and I do believe I have everything it takes to get right back up there.

‘He’s right up there with the best, I do believe that. That’s why I took this fight, because I want to be competitive.

‘If you talk about boxing, I do believe I’m a better boxer than Conor. An all round better boxer. He’s an angry aggressive fighter, I’m a boxer.’

What happened at the weigh-in?

Both fighters comfortably made weight as they took to the scales on Friday afternoon.

Benn weighed in at 146.5lbs, while Van Heerden also had no problems, coming in at 145.8lbs.

Both fighters then engaged in a face-off, separated by Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

Benn weighed in at 146lbs on Friday afternoon, with Van Heerden also comfortable at 145.8lbs

Benn vs Van Heerden: The odds

Proving one of the most improved fighters globally throughout a stellar 2021, it comes as no surprise that Benn is the overwhelming favourite to extend his record to 21 wins from as many outings.

The Brit, for the second fight running, comes up against a largely inactive opponent, with Van Heerden’s last victory coming back in 2019.

Benn is the 1/20 favourite to get the victory, with an away win at 17/2 and an unlikely draw down at 33/1.

*Odds as per Betfair and correct at the time of publication.

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