- Conor Benn opens as a -960 betting favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook to Chris van Heerden as a +550 underdog.
- Chris van Heerden is a southpaw who’s only lost twice in his career, most notably to Errol Spence Jr. in 2018.
- Benn is coming off an impressive win over Chris Algieri and is looking to build on that momentum.
2022 could be shaping up to be a huge year for Conor Benn. Benn is set to defend his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against South Africa’s Chris Van Heerden in Manchester on April 16. We review the opening Benn vs van Heerden odds with an early fight prediction below.
Conor Benn vs Chris van Heerden Odds
| Boxer | Odds |
| Conor Benn | -950 |
| Chris van Heerden | +550 |
Conor Benn opened as a firm betting favorite -950 according to FanDuel Sportsbook to defeat Chris van Heerden. That’s an implied win probability of 90.4% for the 25-year-old pro from Essex. If you are looking for better value for betting on Benn to win, check out the betting props for him to win by KO via BetMGM Sportsbook.
Meanwhile, Chris van Heerden offers real underdog value here at +550. Bet $100 to net $550 on van Heerden defeating Benn. Check out our list of best boxing betting sites to get the best promos before betting on Benn vs van Heerden.
Benn vs van Heerden Prediction
Benn is now considered a top-ten welterweight, he even appears as high as top-five on the IBF welterweight rankings. On the other hand, ‘The Heat’ van Heerden isn’t currently ranked which could be due to inactivity. van Heerden is now residing in Santa Monica, California, the 34-year-old southpaw is hoping to prove himself against Benn who is one of the fast-rising talents in boxing.
That’s in stark contrast to Benn’s serious activity after scoring three straight wins in 2021, over top opponents including Samuel Vargas, Adrián Granados, and the devastating fourth-round KO of Chris Algieri in December.
Nicknamed ‘The Destroyer’ (20-0, 13 KOs), Benn will have to maintain his patience as he goes up against the highly experienced van Heerden. The South African is coming off a no contest to Jaron Ennis after van Heerden suffered a cut from an accidental head clash in round one.
van Heerden has won the majority of his fights by decision and prior to his last fight, he was on a five-fight winning streak after his 2018 loss to Errol Spence Jr. Van Heerden will want to keep moving and use his southpaw stance to keep Benn thinking and avoid any traps set by the WBA champ.
While everyone wants to see Benn fight the big names at 147-pounds. There is still time to wait and not put him in there with a risky fight at this point of his career. Eventually, he will go fight Jaron Ennis or Keith Thurman, in the meantime, van Heerden is the right opponent to face next.
This will be van Heerden’s first time-fighting in enemy territory in the UK. I expect the tide and momentum to continue in Benn’s favor, with him wearing down van Heerden come to the later rounds and aiming for a TKO win.
Benn Excited to Challenge Van Heerden
Conor Benn spoke to BoxingScene recently and gave his humble opinion of his next opponent and what it means for his boxing journey.
“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.”
Conor Benn vs Kell Brook the fight to make
Conor Benn was ringside for the Khan vs Brook fight recently. Following the loss of his friend Amir Khan, Benn vouched to “take care” of Brook if they get the chance to share the ring together.
“The big domestics are what we want,” Benn told talkSPORT. “After Josh Kelly messed up, who is there now for me? Who can I really test myself against? Who claims to be the best in Britain?
“He is still sharp, he has still got his timing, he has still got accuracy. That makes the fight more realistic. I would fight him at 150. It don’t bother me or my team. It really don’t.
“I am tied into DAZN but I will leave that to them. I want to get stuck straight in. “I fancy that fight next. I just messaged my trainer. I fancy that fight next. That’s what I said.
“If I have to wait, I will wait. If I don’t, then I don’t. I just want that fight. He claims to be the best in Britain. He looked unbelievable tonight, he looks in shape, he looked great on the scales.
Kell Brook facing off against Conor Benn, is another dream fight for domestic boxing. The 25-year-old Benn thinks that he could have the opportunity to test Brook at 150lbs, to prove that he is the best in the UK.
If Benn vs Brook happens, who’s your early betting pick? Comment below.