Chris van Heerden

Chris van Heerden (born 19 June 1987) is a South African professional boxer and a former IBO welterweight champion.

In this Dutch name, the surname is Van Heerden, not Harden.

Chris van Heerden
Statistics
Real nameChris van Heerden
Nickname(s)The Heat
Weight(s)Welterweight
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Nationality South African
Born (1987-06-19) 19 June 1987
Johannesburg, South Africa
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins28
Wins by KO12
Losses3
Draws1
No contests1

Early life

Van Heerden grew up in Meyerton, Gauteng.[1]

Professional career

Van Heerden started his professional career in 2006. He quickly emerged as a top fighter in the African continent, which he subsequently proved by snapping South African and ABU welterweight titles. However, in 2010 he suffered his first loss in the professional ring to Serbian Ivica Stevanovic for IBF Inter-Continental light middleweight title. This fight, though, did not stop him from rise to success. In 2009 he prevailed over fellow South African Kaizer Mabuza and gained IBO welterweight belt.[2] He managed to defend his belt twice, against Sebastián Andrés Luján[3] and Matthew Hatton.[4]

In Winter 2013 van Heerden decided to relocate to the United States. The move meant that Van Heerden had been forced to relinquish his status as the International Boxing Organisation's champion but it was a move that he considered to pave the way to higher honours in future.[5]

Van Heerden vs. Spence Jr

On 11 September 2015, van Heerden faced rising prospect Errol Spence Jr. Despite taunting Spence Jr numerous times throughout the fight, van Heerden was dominated by Spence Jr and dropped twice before the referee had seen enough and decided to stop the fight in round eight.[6]

Van Heerden vs. Ennis

On 19 December 2020, van Heerden fought Jaron Ennis. Ennis was ranked #7 by the WBO, #10 by the IBF and #12 by the WBC at welterweight.[7] After a clash of heads in the first round, van Heerden suffered a severe cut on his forehead which prompted the referee to stop the fight early, ending the fight with a no-decision outcome.[8]

Van Heerden vs. Benn

On April, 16th 2022, Van Heerden challenged undefeated prospect Conor Benn for the WBA Continental Welterweight title. He lost by 2nd-round TKO after being dominated and got brutally knocked down in Round 2, where the referee stopped it.

Personal life

Van Heerden currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Professional boxing record
33 fights 28 wins 3 losses
By knockout 12 2
By decision 16 1
Draws 1
No contests 1

References
  1. "Vaal's boxing hero has eye on Hollywood". Vaalweekblad. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. Heerden Beats Mabuza, Budler Wins, Venter KOs Simba. boxingscene.com (24 September 2011). Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  3. Van Heerden dominates Lujan, retaines IBO title. boxingscene.com (16 June 2012). Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  4. "Van Heerden too tough for Hatton". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  5. Van Heerden lost to SA. citizen.co.za (24 December 2013). Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  6. Bracelin, Jason (11 September 2015). "Errol Spence Jr. mugs a mugging Chris van Heerden in smashing TKO win". PBC Boxing. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  7. "Ennis vs Heerden – News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  8. Donovan, Jake (19 December 2020). "Jaron Ennis-Chris Van Heerden Ends in No-Decision Due To Severe Cut". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 23 December 2021.

Boxing record for Chris van Heerden from BoxRec (registration required)

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