Conor Benn yet again mixes in fringe world class level this Saturday night at the AO Arena, making a seventh defence of his WBA Continental welterweight title against former IBO champion, Chris van Heerden over twelve rounds.
DAZN televise Benn vs van Heerden live, on a card promoted by Matchroom.
Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) is gently being nudged towards world title level, after several wins against former contenders and champions, and this test against South African van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs) is the latest in a long sequence of similar opponents.
‘The Destroyer’ had a fruitful 2021 that began with a one round win against Samuel Vargas, and he then diffused Adrian Granados at Headingley in September.
The 25-year-old Ilford man was last out in December, where he impressively handled former WBO champion, Chris Algieri.
Benn decked the American in the second, and then scored a fourth round knockout to send a further statement to the big boys at 147 pounds.
‘The Heat’ isn’t the name fans wanted in terms of taking a step-up in class, but he will certainly come to win.
The 34-year-old is unbeaten in five since being stopped in eight by Errol Spence Jr in 2015, but his comeback victories have come in low-key company.
He was last in action in December 2020, where his bout with the precocious Jaron Ennis ended in a no contest after a round, after he suffered a cut due to an accidental head butt.
Prediction: Benn shouldn’t have too many problems here, and a crack at bigger and better opposition surely needs to come in 2022. I expect him to do a professional job on van Heerden, and should seal victory before the halfway mark.
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Billam-Smith and McCarthy meet again
Heading the undercard is a rematch of a July 2021 thriller, as Chris Billam-Smith defends his European cruiserweight belt against Tommy McCarthy.
Billam-Smith (14-1, 10 KOs) is also the Commonwealth champion, but that title isn’t at stake here.
The Bournemouth man won their original meeting in the Matchroom back garden last summer, taking a split decision win, and will look to repeat the trick here.
‘The Gentleman’ was last out in November 2021, taking a wide points win in defence of his European strap against Dylan Bregeon in Sheffield, and he has since vacated his Lonsdale Belt, whilst McCarthy (18-3, 9 KOs) hasn’t fought since the original meeting.
Prediction: I expect Billam-Smith to retain more handily on the cards this time around.
Baumgardner defends WBC belt
World title action comes at super featherweight, where Alycia Baumgardner (11-1, 7 KOs) defends her WBC and IBO titles for the first time, with the American taking on Argentina’s former featherweight world champion, Edith Soledad Matthysse (17-11-1, KO1).
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Prediction: Baumgardner sensationally stopped Terri Harper in four rounds to win the belts, and she should have too much for 41-year-old Matthysse, but the South American has never been stopped, so she may be taken the distance to seal victory.
Remaining Undercard
In eight round action, Jordan Thompson (12-0, 10 KOs) should have too much for Mario Angel Gudino (14-5, 9 KOs) in their cruiserweight contest, and can win early, while at welterweight, Cyrus Pattinson (3-0, 1 KO) will likely need the cards to take care off Alexey Tukhtarov (5-28-6, 3 KOs).
Thomas Whittaker-Hart (6-0, 3 KOs) can also stay undefeated with a points win over Ben Ridings (5-1).
In six rounders, Campbell Hatton (6-0, 2 KOs) will look to build on his good form, and should secure a clear points win against Tipton’s Lee Glover (11-9, 3 KOs).
Salford super lightweight Luke Evans (11-0, 1 KO) should also need the distance to see off Miguel Cesario Antin (19-10, 8 KOs).
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Jack Cullen (20-3-1, 9 KOs) was stopped in a bid for the European title last time out, and the super middleweight returns with what should be a simple points win against Vladimir Belujsky (12-3-1, 8 KOs).
James Metcalf (21-2, 13 KOs) has a May meeting with Kerman Lejarraga to come, and he shakes off the rust after back-to-back defeats, and he can take out Evgenii Vazem (9-26, 4 KOs) inside schedule at super welterweight.
