Tony Bellew praises Conor Benn's power in win over Chris van Heerden: 'He explodes so fast'

The 25-year-old WBA Continental champion was barely troubled by his older South African rival, and quickly had him against the ropes, and then the canvas.

Speaking after the fight on DAZN, Bellew said he had anticipated defeat for the 34-year-old southpaw. 

“I’m not going to lie, I fully expected it,” he said.

“Chris van Heerden - time waits for no man and inactivity is the biggest killer within boxing, and we’ve seen that tonight.

“Conor went in. For Chris van Heerden to be a problem, he has to maintain the distance and keep him away, and he couldn’t. There’s not many that can to be totally honest.  

“He explodes so fast, Conor Benn . His physical attributes allow him to get so close, so quickly. That means Van Heerden is in trouble, and when he got close he let his hands go. Van Heerden was lost, he was gone.”

Fellow former world champion Carl Froch agreed, remarking that Benn continues to improve, giving little chance to those he has come up against so far. 

“You can tell he’s operated at a semi-decent level throughout his career,” Froch said of Van Heerden.

“Decent upright boxer, southpaw, looking for that left cross, decent job, quite tidy with his defence. But he was overwhelmed.

“Conor Benn was able to land his shots and march forwards. You see the devastating impact - he’s punching harder and harder every time he fights, which is good news for him if he's going to step it up to that level.” 

Another former champion, Andy Lee, also remarked on Benn’s efficiency and potential.

“Sensational. One of the most exciting fighters to watch right now,” he claimed while watching Benn’s knockout.

“Straight down the pipe. The finish was emphatic, there was no mistake. Chopping down right on the ear, the temple. Conor Benn just changed his tactics and went straight down the line, got the older man hurt.