Bennett's manager, Richard Claut, told the Newcastle Herald from Los Angeles that negotiations with International Boxing Organisation (IBO) officials for a September 22 fight in Newcastle were advanced and he hoped to finish those before he and Bennett returned home.

With triple world champion Jeff Fenech barking instructions in his corner, Bennett was always in control.

The three judges all scored 80-71 to Bennett, who improved his professional record to 25 wins (16 by knock-out) and three draws from 32 bouts.

"Jeff's talk and guidance from the corner were invaluable," Claut said.

Bennett's was the first bout on the undercard to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Mexican national heavyweight title fight between Cristobal Arreola and Manuel Quezada at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, near Los Angeles.

The boxing website TheSweetScience.com said Bennett "pounded and pounded Bergeron but couldn't seem to put the sturdy fighter away".

"After eight rounds of the welterweight fight it was clear that Bennett was the superior boxer, but Bergeron's chin was world class . . . There was one knockdown scored by Bennett."

Claut told Francisco Salazar, from the Fightnews.com website, at ringside: "It was his first appearance in the USA and having Jeff in his corner for the first time, so there was a touch of nervousness wanting to perform to Jeff's expectations.

"Chad is now 36 and we have enlisted Jeff and matchmaker Stuart Duncan, giving him every chance at his final run at a world championship. We hope to be making a major announcement in the coming weeks regarding his next outing in September on Fox Sports."