David Benavidez will officially defend his WBC light heavyweight title against British contender Anthony Yarde in a high-stakes showdown this November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This Benavidez-Yarde fight not only headlines the latest Saudi boxing showcase but also promises fireworks between two heavy-hitting warriors, each with a point to prove on the global stage.
A Championship Bout with Global Impact
The announcement was confirmed by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, on July 3.
He revealed that Benavidez (30–0, 24 KOs) would put his newly earned WBC belt on the line against Yarde (27–3, 24 KOs) in a marquee event during the Riyadh Season—an initiative that has recently featured major sporting spectacles across boxing and football.
“This is the kind of fight fans want. A hungry champion versus a battle-tested challenger,” Alalshikh told Boxing Scene.
This will mark Benavidez’s first title defense at light heavyweight after vacating his WBC interim super middleweight crown to move up.
The undefeated American is coming off a dominating win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and is now being positioned as a future opponent for either Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol—the division’s other major champions.
Why Yarde?
Anthony Yarde might not be the name many expected for Benavidez’s debut defense, but he’s no stranger to the big stage.
After pushing Beterbiev to the brink in a 2023 fight-of-the-year candidate, the London-based slugger has bounced back with four straight wins, including stoppages over Lyndon Arthur and Joshua Buatsi.
Yarde’s camp views this as perfect timing. “Benavidez is strong, but he’s never felt power like mine,” Yarde told Sky Sports. “Saudi Arabia will see a new champion crowned in November.”
Key Stats
- David Benavidez
- Record: 30–0 (24 KOs)
- Age: 28
- Height: 6’2″
- Reach: 74 inches
- Notable Wins: Caleb Plant, Gvozdyk, David Lemieux
- Anthony Yarde
- Record: 27–3 (24 KOs)
- Age: 32
- Height: 6’0″
- Reach: 72 inches
- Notable Fights: Artur Beterbiev (L), Sergey Kovalev (L), Buatsi (W)
Fight Details & What’s at Stake
- Event: Riyadh Season Boxing Showcase
- Date: November 2025 (exact day TBA)
- Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Title: WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship
For Benavidez, a win will solidify his place in the light heavyweight elite and likely line up a unification bout in 2026.
For Yarde, it’s potentially a last title shot in a career full of almosts—and a win would be the crowning achievement of his resume.
Expert Insight
ESPN analyst Andre Ward weighed in on the Benavidez-Yarde fight:
“Benavidez is a pressure machine—nonstop combinations, excellent timing. But don’t underestimate Yarde’s explosiveness. If he times a counter right, this could end early.”
The fight also adds heat to the growing U.S.–U.K. rivalry in boxing and continues Saudi Arabia’s push to become a boxing destination for championship-caliber events.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
Social platforms exploded following the announcement. On X (formerly Twitter), fans debated the matchup’s merits, with one user writing:
“Benavidez is gonna walk through Yarde in 6. Too fast, too mean.”
Meanwhile, U.K. fans were more optimistic:
“Yarde’s earned this. Don’t sleep on him—dude hits like a truck.”
Final Thoughts: Benavidez-Yarde Fight Holds Real Weight
The Benavidez-Yarde fight may not have the mainstream glitz of a Fury or Canelo event, but real boxing fans know this is a can’t-miss stylistic clash.
With title implications, international appeal, and a perfect venue in Riyadh, it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year.
Let’s hope both warriors bring their best come fight night.
What Do You Think?
Who wins the Benavidez-Yarde fight? Comment your thoughts below and let us know if this one lives up to the hype!
Anthony Yarde's last title shot, a TKO loss to the eventual undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
— 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 (@KOJournals) July 3, 2025
He's scheduled to face David Benavidez for the WBC title in November.
pic.twitter.com/lw5Q92P7qx
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Fresh Khaber was founded by Abdul Basit, a passionate sports enthusiast with a deep interest in covering the latest developments in the sports world. Abdul is committed to delivering insightful, well-researched content that is accessible to fans, athletes, and readers globally. With a focus on accuracy and clarity, he leads Fresh Khaber in providing reliable news and updates to a dedicated audience.