Conor Benn remained undefeated with an explosive second round stoppage over Chris Van Heerden in a scheduled 12-round welterweight bout at The Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Benn came out in a seek-and-destroy mode in the Mike Tyson posture as he loaded with hard power shots. In round two, he hit his mark as he buckled Van Heerden with a hard right hand for which he followed up with a hard uppercuts and three chopping rights later Van Heerden was down and out at 59 seconds.

Benn, 146 lbs of Essex, ENG is now 21-0 with 14 knockouts. Van Heerden, 145 lbs of Santa Monica, CA via South Africa is 28-3-1-1.

Billiam-Smith Stops McCarthy in 8 in rematch

Chris Billiam-Smith made it two victories over Tommy McCarthy by registering an eighth-round stoppage in a cruiserweight fight.

In round six, Billam-Smith began to bleed over his left eye.

In round eight, Billiam Smith landed a hard right that was followed up by a left on the ropes that shook McCarthy. That was followed by a booming right to the side of the head that put McCarthy down for the count at 1:20.

Billiam-Smith, 199 lbs of Bournesmouth, ENG is now 15-1 with 11 knockouts. McCarthy, 199 lbs of Belfast, NI is now 18-4.

This was a rematch of Billiam-Smith’s split decision on July 31, 2021.

Campbell Hatton Decisions Gregores

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Ezequiel Gregores in a junior welterweight fight.

Hatton, 136 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 7-0. Gregores, 139 lbs of Spain is 3-10.

Alycia Baumgardner Decisions Matthysse; Defends Jr. Lightweight Title

Alycia Baumgardner made the first the defense of the WBC/IBO Junior Lightweight world titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Soledad Matthysse.

Baumgardner landed 113 of 315 punches; Matthysse just 38 of 260.

Baumgardner, 129 lbs of Detroit, MI won by shutout scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 12-1. Matthysse, 133 lbs of Argentina is 17-12-1.

Jack Cullen Decisions Belujsky

Jack Cullen won an eight-round decision over Vladimir Belujsky in a light heavyweight bout.

Cullen, 171 lbs of Little Leaver, ENG won by a 80-72 score and is now 21-3-1.Belujsky, 172 lbs of Mitchlestown, IRE is 12-4-1.

Jordan Thompson stopped Mariano Angel Gudino in round two of their eight-round cruiserweight fight.

Thompson dropped Gudino with a hard right uppercut and the fight was stopped as Gudino was in no condition to continue at 47 seconds.

Thompson, 195 lbs of Manchester, ENG is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Gudino, 199 lbs of Cordoba, ARG is now 14-6.

Thomas Whittaker Hart remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Ben Ridings in a light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Ridings was cut over his right eye.

Whittaker Hart, 175 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by 78-74 score and is now 7-0. Ridings, 174 lbs of Bery, ENG is 5-2.

Leigh Wood retained the WBA Featherweight title with a shocking 12th round stoppage over mandatory challenger Michael Conlan in front of a raucous sold out crowd at The Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England.

At the end of round one, Conlan uncorked a wild left hand that landed right on the jaw of Wood that sent the hometown champion to the canvas. In round four, Conlan was cut around his left eye.

Conlan was winning most of the rounds as he was getting the better of the exchanges.

In round 11, Wood came back and dropped Conlan with a short left hook. In round 12, Wood stunned Conlan with another left hook, and a follow up flurry knocked Conlan out of the ring, and the fight was stopped at 1:25.

Woodm 125.7 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 26-2 with 16 knockouts. Conlan, 124.4 lbs of Belfast, NI is 16-1.

Agyarko Decisions Rubio

Caoimhin Agyarko won a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Rubio in a middleweight fight.

Agyarko was 130 of 430 punches; Rubio was 59 of 454.

Agyarko, 159.2. lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92 and is now 11-0. Rubio, 159.3 lbs of Zapopan, MEX is 18-2.

Harper Decisions Abellaneda

Former world champion Terri Harper won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yamila Abellaneda in a lightweight fight.

Harper landed 127 of 357 punches; Abellaneda was 62 of 433.

Harper, 133.25 lbs of Denaby Main, ENG won by scores of 99-91 on all cards and is now 12-1-1. Abellaneda, 134.2 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 13-5-1.

Cully stops Former Champion Vazquez in 5

Gary Cully remained undefeated with a 5th round stoppage over former world champion Miguel Vazquez in a scheduled 10-round lightweight fight.

In round three, Cully dropped Vazquez with a straight left. In round five, Cully dropped Vazquez with another left for the 10-count at 41 seconds.

Cully, 134.4 lbs of Dublin, IRE is 14-0 with eight knockouts. Vazquez, 134.1 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 44-1.

Farias Decisions Sandy Ryan

Former two-division world champion Erica Anabella Farias won an entertaining 10-round split-decision over previously undefeated touted prospect Sandy Ryan in a super lightweight fight.

It was a good back and forth fight with Farias getting the better of most exchanges.

In round seven, Ryan had some blood over her left eye and nose. In round 10, Farias had a point deducted for leading with her head.

Farias, 141.1 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG won by scores of 97-94 and 96-94 with Ryan taking a card 97-93.

Farias is now 27-5. Ryan, 144.5 lbs of Derby, ENG is 3-1.

Nico Leivars made a successful pro debut with a four-round decision over Jose Hernandez in a bantamweight fight.

Leivers, 120.1 lbs of Mansfield, ENG won by a 40-34 score and is 1-0.

Thomas Carty stopped Michal Boloz in round five due to Boloz being cut up over his left eye,

In round two, Boloz began to bleed from the bridge of his nose.

In round five, Boloz had a cut and bad swelling over his left eye. Seconds later, the ringside doctor was called in for a 2nd time and the fight was stopped at 2:27.

Carty, 243.25 lbs of Dublin, IRE is 3-0 with two stoppages. Boloz, 232.25 lbs of Nowy Sacz, POL is 2-4-2.

Thomas Whittaker Hart stopped Ben Thomas inside of a minute of their six-round light heavyweight bout.

Hart landed a left to the body that sent Thomas down for the 10-count at 43 seconds.

Hart, 178.2 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 6-0 with three knockouts.

Jermaine Springer insists that all of the pressure is on Matchroom new boy Thomas Whittaker-Hart ahead of their eight round Light-Heavyweight battle on the Katie Taylor vs. Miriam Gutierrez undercard this Saturday at The SSE Arena, Wembley, shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

Liverpool’s Whittaker-Hart, managed by former WBC Cruiserweight king Tony Bellew, signed promotional terms with Eddie Hearn last month and will be hoping to impress on his Matchroom debut as he kicks off a huge night of World Title action, but Bradford’s Springer has other ideas. 

Trained by Al Osta at the Ultra Flex Gym in Leeds, ‘Showtime’ heads into his first TV appearance sporting a record of seven wins and one loss since turning pro in March 2018, and the 32-year-old says he is ready to cause an upset against former amateur standout Whittaker-Hart. 

“I’ve got nothing to lose,” Springer told Seconds Out. “He’s just signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom, he’s managed by Tony Bellew and he’s the amateur star that has all of the pressure and expectation on him. For me, I’ve just got to go out there and have a fight. It’s a much more simple situation for me. It’s a lot more complicated for him. 

“I’ve seen more of his amateur stuff. We know what he’s about. I think it will be a good fight. He’s not just a one trick pony. He’s an all round good fighter. He’s got good speed, good power and a good jab. He can fight at distance and he can fight up close on the inside. I think our styles will gel.

“I’m going to bring the fire. This is my opportunity. I don’t get opportunities like this. I’m used to fighting at small hall shows. This is what I dream about, fighting on Matchroom shows live on Sky Sports. I’m normally watching them on TV.

“I’m a massive boxing fan. It’s a dream come true and I’m going to give it everything that I’ve got. I 100% believe in myself and I am going there to cause the upset. I can’t leave anything in the ring and end up disappointed. I have to put on a good show and get the win.”

Taylor vs. Gutierrez tops an historic night of World Title action in the Capital, Denaby’s Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KOs) defends her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Titles against Katharina Thanderz (13-0, 2 KOs), Rachel Ball (6-1) faces Jorgelina Guanini (9-1-2, 1 KO) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title, big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs) and Glasgow Bantamweight talent Kash Farooq (13-1, 6 KOs)makes his Matchroom debut against Angel Aviles (20-5-1, 6 KOs).

Liverpool Light-Heavyweight talent Thomas Whittaker-Hart has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will face Bradford’s Jermaine Springer over eight rounds on Saturday November 14, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Whittaker-Hart (4-0, 2 KOs), a former England and Team GB man who was planning on staying in the amateur game until the Tokyo Olympic Games, trains with Joe McNally at the Rotunda ABC in Kirkdale and has made a perfect start to life in the professional ranks. 

The former English National titlist, who is managed by former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew, made his pro debut on the Liam Smith vs. Sam Eggington show at the M&S Arena in March 2019, outpointing Poland’s Przemyslaw Binienda.

Three wins have followed for the 25-year-old prospect who will be looking to push on under his new promotional banner, starting with a win over Springer (7-1, 1 KO) next month on an historic World Title triple-header card.

“Tony phoned me a couple of days ago to tell me that I’m signing with Matchroom,” said Whittaker-Hart. “I was made up with the news! It’s the best promotional umbrella to be under at the minute so I was buzzing when I found out. 

“I’m looking forward to performing on the biggest platform. I’m going to showcase what I know I can really do. I’m pleased that I’ve got the opportunity to be able to broadcast my skills to such a big audience on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

“I’ve made a positive start to life in the pros with four wins and two knockouts. I don’t think I’ve showed enough of what I can really do. Now I’ve signed with Matchroom I can start to really push on and I know the opponents are going to get harder, that’s when you’ll see the best version of me. 

“I don’t know a lot about Springer but I’ve seen the odd clip of him. I know that he’s a good step up for me at this stage of my career. I’m more than confident in my ability to get the job done and I’ll be more than ready on November 14. It’s a great show to be a part of. 

“I want to keep on improving and going up the levels. I’m planning on getting to the top – that’s where I want to be. I couldn’t ask for much more with Tony managing me and Matchroom promoting me. Tony has helped me out a lot and he’s got me into a great position. He’s been there and done it so I look up to him massively.”

“I’m very excited about Thomas Whittaker-Hart!” said Bellew. “He’s been out the ring 12 months but I’m confident that within these next 12 months he will be in and amongst the top 3 domestically and ready for the British Title! He’s been working hard and has been sparring with renowned World Champions and vastly experienced fighters! The best is yet to come from Thomas.”

Hart vs. Springer helps shape a huge night of World Title action; Irish star KatieTaylor (16-0, 6 KOs) puts her Lightweight World Titles on the line once more against Mandatory Challenger MiriamGutierrez (13-0, 5 KOs), Denaby’s Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KOs) faces her first WBC Mandatory challenger in Spanish-Norwegian KatharinaThanderz (13-0, 2 KOs), Walsall’s RachelBall (6-1) takes on undefeated Australian EbanieBridges (4-0, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight crown, Swindon Southpaw Jamie Cox (25-2, 14 KOs) returns with a new team after two years out the ring against ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs) and big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against Jack Arnfield (25-3, 6 KOs).