David Benavidez will fight Anthony Yarde this November in Saudi Arabia, defending his newly claimed WBC light-heavyweight title. The bout is part of the “Riyadh Season” lineup, as confirmed by Turki Alalshikh.
Rather than facing real threats Benavidez is going the safe route—taking on Yarde, a puncher who’s already been stopped twice when it counted.
Anthony Yarde Gets Another Title Shot—Why?
Anthony Yarde (24-3, 23 KOs) is a heavy-handed fighter with decent clips on YouTube, but nothing in the past year says “title contender.” Since losing to Beterbiev, he’s fought soft opposition and stayed in safe waters. Somehow, that’s enough for another shot.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) didn’t beat anyone to get the WBC light-heavyweight belt. He got upgraded to full champion on April 7 after Dmitry Bivol vacated the title to chase a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. No punches thrown, no big fight won—just a belt handed over thanks to some well-timed paperwork.
To his credit, Benavidez did say he didn’t want to win the belt without earning it. Then again, he’s now turning around and fighting Yarde—who’s already been flattened twice at world level—his first title defence. According to his team, the choice was between Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde. The two Brits are ranked second and third with the WBC, but let’s not act like this was ever going to be a 50/50 fight.
Can Yarde Pull Off the Upset?
Yarde was always the easier sell: fewer complications, flashier style, and way less chance of dragging Benavidez into something ugly. It’s a pick wrapped up in ranking logic to cover for the fact that the belt wasn’t won in the ring to begin with.
If Benavidez wants to be taken seriously at light-heavyweight, there’s only one path: fight the real names. Bivol. Beterbiev. Buatsi. Smith. Until then, it’s all noise and theatre.
Last Updated on 07/03/2025
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