Benavidez Sr: Yarde “Toughest Opponent”

Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. says his son, David Benavidez’s next opponent, Anthony Yarde, is his “toughest opponent” of his career heading into their November 22nd clash at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Morrell: Benavidez’s Real Toughest

David Morrell would have something to say about that. The pound of flesh he took out of Benavidez last February, knocking him down and altering his facial features into a ghoulish mask, showed that he’s been his “toughest opponent.” A retooled Morrell would likely beat ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez in a rematch.

Yarde, 33, is known for his knockout title losses to world champions Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev. Those were his claim to fame: losing to those fighters after gassing out early.

The 10-year pro Anthony’s best career wins came against Lyndon Arthur twice. Other than him, Yarde has beaten exclusively British and European-level fighters.

Yarde is muscle-bound, too overmuscled to be effective for more than three or four rounds in his fights. Moreover, he’s utterly predictable, telegraphing his main offensive tactic, the uppercut. In his KO defeats against Beterbiev and Kovalev, those two fighters quickly figured out that all Yarde had was an uppercut, and they neutralized it quickly.

“Anthony Yarde is a beast. He’s really good, hits hard, is young, and in his prime. I think this is going to be David’s toughest opponent. He’s super dangerous,” said trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. to Ring Magazine about his son, David Benavidez’s next opponent, Antony Yarde, on November 22nd.

Yarde: A Step Down in Class?

The reality is, Yarde is a BIG step down in competition for Benavidez from his last fight against Morrell, and below his three opponents before that against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Demetrius Andrade, and Caleb Plant. All four of those fighters would beat Yarde, and likely by knockout.

After four or five rounds, Yarde tires out and becomes an arm puncher without any pop in his punches. He’s there for the taking. He’s been able to get by with the weak matchmaking that’s been done by his promoters, who have steered him toward no-name fighters that didn’t pose a threat to exposing him.

Yarde’s Last Four opponents:

– Lyndon Arthur: Needless trilogy match
– Ralfs Vilcans
– Marko Nikolic
– Jorge Silva (23-15: Great record, eh?

“If we can beat a guy like Anthony Yarde, and do it impressively, then you have to look at us like we’re real champions,” said Jose Sr.