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Errol Spence Jr v Yordenis Ugas and Conor Benn v Chris van Heerden preview

1 year ago
| BY News Team

We’re in for an exciting night of boxing this Saturday with two big fights set to take place across both sides of the Atlantic.

Errol Spence and Yordenis Ugas meet in Texas in a world welterweight unification fight, while in Manchester, Conor Benn seeks to continue his rise as he takes on Chris van Heerden.

Errol Spence Jr v Yordenis Ugas

We could be in for a few fireworks here as IBF and WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr faces WBA titleholder Yordenis Ugas at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, with three of the four recognised titles at 147 pounds on the line.

As one of the world’s best pound-for-pound boxers, it’s of little surprise to see that Spence Jr is the 1/6 favourite for victory. However, it’s been a difficult few years for the American, having been involved in a serious car accident before later suffering a fractured orbital bone while training. As a result of that injury, Spence Jr has not fought since defeating Danny Garcia in December and, critically, missed out on the opportunity to fight Manny Pacquiao last year for his WBA title and add to his collection.

That injury meant Ugas was called upon to step in for Spence Jr, with the Cuban springing a big shock to see off Pacquiao and become world champion for the first time. Ugas is the 4/1 underdog in what is his first title defence, but the 35-year-old proved in his last fight he is not one to be dismissed and so will hold no fear on Saturday night.

As well as the opportunity of unifying the three belts on the line, there is a potentially far bigger carrot for the victor. WBO champion Terence Crawford is currently considering his options and a mammoth undisputed bout with the American could well lie ahead for Spence Jr or Ugas.

But Spence Jr is the favourite for a reason and, despite his time out of the ring, should have too much for his opponent here. With 21 KOs from 27 unbeaten fights, the 2/1 for Spence Jr to win by KO, TO or DQ could be the way to go.

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Conor Benn v Chris van Heerden

Meanwhile, at the AO Arena in Manchester, Conor Benn will continue on his journey as he attempts to land a world title fight later this year. Standing in his way will be the experienced South African fighter Chris van Heerden.

Welterweight boxer Benn has racked up a record of 20-0-0 to date with 13 KOs, while he is the current WBA continental champion. Benn has already successfully defended his title six times previously and another victory on Saturday could put him in line for a world title bid that his career has been building up to.

The likes of Spence Jr or Crawford could await further down the line, while a huge British fight against Kell Brook or Chris Eubank Jr may more likely be up next if Benn overcomes Van Heerden. Either way, the stakes are huge for Benn.

This is a fight he will, however, expect to navigate and he is the 1/12  favourite to be crowned the victor. Van Heerden has been around the block with 31 fights to his name (28 of those being victories) but is 7/1 for the win. Benn’s punching power should be too much for his opponent and a stoppage win for the Brit seems the most likely outcome.

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