ARTUR BETERBIEV RETURNS AGAINST DEON NICHOLSON AS ROAD TO REDEMPTION BEGINS ON NOV. 22 CARD
Former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will end a nine-month layoff to feature prominently on the Ring IV card come November 22, when he faces Alabama puncher Deon Nicholson in a matchup billed as the 40-year-old's road to redemption.
The Russian-born Canadian voiced his frustration last month at failing to settle terms for an immediate trilogy bout with now-unified titleholder Dmitry Bivol, having split their series one apiece after 24 thrilling rounds in the Saudi capital from October 2024 to February this year.
Bivol relinquished his WBC title, rather than negotiate terms for a purse bid with interim champion David Benavidez - since been elevated - while being ordered to box mandatory challenger Michael Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs) for the IBF strap. His next move remains unclear.
Benavidez, who watched the Bivol-Beterbiev rematch ringside in Riyadh, will headline Ring IV against two-time former title challenger Anthony Yarde in a maiden title defence at 175-pounds. After failed Benavidez negotiations, Callum Smith-David Morrell has been ordered for the former's newly-won WBO interim title and is also mooted to feature on the bill.
Said to have received Turki Alalshikh's blessing for a fight in their native Russia, as reported by The Ring's Mike Coppinger, Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) will now stay-busy against another American opponent in November. He's 8-0 with 8-0 KOs in matchups with stateside opposition but turns 41 in January as questions over longevity at an elite level persist.
Nicholson (22-1, 18 KOs) is six years his junior and has reeled off eight consecutive wins, including five inside the distance, since then-unbeaten Nigerian contender Efetobor Apochi dropped and stopped him three rounds into their scheduled 12-round contest in April 2021.
The nine-year pro pitched a ten-round points win over previously-unbeaten Sergio Jimenez this time last year and is most recently coming off a fourth-round finish of Devonte Williams on June 27, where he featured on the Deontay Wilder-Tyrell Herndon undercard.
David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Artur Beterbiev-Deon Nicholson added to November 22 Riyadh show
Artur Beterbiev is prepared to move on with his career – and from Dmitry Bivol.
BS has confirmed that the former undisputed light heavyweight champion is set to next face Alabama’s Deon Nicholson on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 175lbs matchup is part of a stacked Ring IV show that will feature at least five major title fights.
News of the bout was first reported by Ring Magazine, who presents the event along with boxing financier Turki Alalshikh.
The night will mark the first time in more than eight years that Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs) will enter the ring without a major title at stake. It comes as an alternative to previously sought plans for a rubber match with Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), the current undisputed 175lbs champion.
Beterbiev and Bivol are responsible for the only defeat on the other’s records, their two-fight set which took place in a four-month span. Beterbiev – a two-time Olympian for Russia who lives and trains in Montreal, Canada – won their first fight via majority decision to fully unify all four major 175lbs titles last October 12 in Riyadh.
It ended Bivol’s near seven-year WBA title reign, while Beterbiev retained the WBC, IBF and WBO titles.
Beterbiev entered their February 22 rematch as the sport’s longest-reigning active titleholder, having held the IBF belt since November 2017. Bivol put an end to that with a majority decision victory of his own in their instant classic.
However, his stay as newly crowned undisputed champion was brief. Bivol was forced to vacate the WBC title when he declined to move forward with an ordered mandatory title defense against David Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs).
Fittingly, Benavidez defends the WBC 175lbs title for the first time against England’s Anthony Yarde atop this November 22 show.
As for Bivol, it was theorized at the time that he would move forward with a trilogy clash against Beterbiev, and that it would presumably take place in Russia. However, the bout never came close to materializing. In fact, Beterbiev even called out Bivol for dragging his feet on the matter.
A third fight is even less likely to take place anytime soon. As reported by BS, Bivol was ordered to next face IBF mandatory Michael Eifert. The deadline has passed for their negotiation period, and Bivol is out of exceptions to use in the absence of a unification bout.
Meanwhile, Beterbiev, 40, will take a stay-busy fight as means to once again lodge a two-fight campaign on the year, as well as his third straight appearance in Riyadh.
It comes against a woefully overmatched foe in Nicholson, 22-1 (18 KOs), a stablemate of former WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder. Both fighters are from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and posted knockout wins on the same June 27 BLK Prime Pay-Per-View show in Wichita, Kansas.
Nicholson halted Houston’s Devonte Williams, 13-3 (6 KOs) in the fourth round of their light heavyweight contest. The win ended a ten-month inactive stretch for the 34-year-old knockout artist, who faces a former champion for the first time in his nine-year career.
Artur Beterbiev is prepared to move on with his career – and from Dmitry Bivol.
BS has confirmed that the former undisputed light heavyweight champion is set to next face Alabama’s Deon Nicholson on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 175lbs matchup is part of a stacked Ring IV show that will feature at least five major title fights.
News of the bout was first reported by Ring Magazine, who presents the event along with boxing financier Turki Alalshikh.
The night will mark the first time in more than eight years that Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs) will enter the ring without a major title at stake. It comes as an alternative to previously sought plans for a rubber match with Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), the current undisputed 175lbs champion.
Beterbiev and Bivol are responsible for the only defeat on the other’s records, their two-fight set which took place in a four-month span. Beterbiev – a two-time Olympian for Russia who lives and trains in Montreal, Canada – won their first fight via majority decision to fully unify all four major 175lbs titles last October 12 in Riyadh.
It ended Bivol’s near seven-year WBA title reign, while Beterbiev retained the WBC, IBF and WBO titles.
Beterbiev entered their February 22 rematch as the sport’s longest-reigning active titleholder, having held the IBF belt since November 2017. Bivol put an end to that with a majority decision victory of his own in their instant classic.
However, his stay as newly crowned undisputed champion was brief. Bivol was forced to vacate the WBC title when he declined to move forward with an ordered mandatory title defense against David Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs).
Fittingly, Benavidez defends the WBC 175lbs title for the first time against England’s Anthony Yarde atop this November 22 show.
As for Bivol, it was theorized at the time that he would move forward with a trilogy clash against Beterbiev, and that it would presumably take place in Russia. However, the bout never came close to materializing. In fact, Beterbiev even called out Bivol for dragging his feet on the matter.
A third fight is even less likely to take place anytime soon. As reported by BS, Bivol was ordered to next face IBF mandatory Michael Eifert. The deadline has passed for their negotiation period, and Bivol is out of exceptions to use in the absence of a unification bout.
Meanwhile, Beterbiev, 40, will take a stay-busy fight as means to once again lodge a two-fight campaign on the year, as well as his third straight appearance in Riyadh.
It comes against a woefully overmatched foe in Nicholson, 22-1 (18 KOs), a stablemate of former WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder. Both fighters are from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and posted knockout wins on the same June 27 BLK Prime Pay-Per-View show in Wichita, Kansas.
Nicholson halted Houston’s Devonte Williams, 13-3 (6 KOs) in the fourth round of their light heavyweight contest. The win ended a ten-month inactive stretch for the 34-year-old knockout artist, who faces a former champion for the first time in his nine-year career.
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
VITO MIELNICKI TO FACE SAMUEL NMOMAH ON ‘THE RING IV’ UNDERCARD NOV. 22 IN RIYADH
Vito Mienlicki Jr.’s last fight took place about 20 minutes from his hometown of Roseland, New Jersey.
The middleweight contender has a much longer trip planned for his next fight. The Ring has learned Mielnicki will face Italy’s Samuel Nmomah in a 10-rounder November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout between Mielnicki (21-1, 12 KOs, 1 NC) and Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs) will be streamed by DAZN as part of “The Ring IV” card headlined by WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde.
Mielnicki, 23, topped Polish contender Kamil Gardzielik (19-1, 4 KOs) in his most recent action. He dropped Gardzielik in the third round and won their 10-round main event by unanimous decision June 21 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Nigerian-born Nmomah, 28, is the third straight undefeated opponent for Mielnicki, but he has beaten a low level of opposition since he made his pro debut in December 2016. Nmomah defeated Denmark’s Abdul Khattab (20-4-1, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision in his last fight, a 10-rounder March 28 in Novara, Italy.
Mielnicki, listed sixth among the WBO’s middleweight contenders for 160-pound champ Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs), is the first world-ranked opponent of Nmomah’s eight-year pro career. Mielnicki will fight outside of the United States for the first time since he was an amateur.
In addition to Phoenix’s Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) facing England’s Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in the 12-round main event, “The Ring IV” show will pit WBO welterweight champ Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs), of Conyers, Georgia, against former undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), of Henderson, Nevada, in the 12-round co-feature.
Vito Mienlicki Jr.’s last fight took place about 20 minutes from his hometown of Roseland, New Jersey.
The middleweight contender has a much longer trip planned for his next fight. The Ring has learned Mielnicki will face Italy’s Samuel Nmomah in a 10-rounder November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout between Mielnicki (21-1, 12 KOs, 1 NC) and Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs) will be streamed by DAZN as part of “The Ring IV” card headlined by WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde.
Mielnicki, 23, topped Polish contender Kamil Gardzielik (19-1, 4 KOs) in his most recent action. He dropped Gardzielik in the third round and won their 10-round main event by unanimous decision June 21 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Nigerian-born Nmomah, 28, is the third straight undefeated opponent for Mielnicki, but he has beaten a low level of opposition since he made his pro debut in December 2016. Nmomah defeated Denmark’s Abdul Khattab (20-4-1, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision in his last fight, a 10-rounder March 28 in Novara, Italy.
Mielnicki, listed sixth among the WBO’s middleweight contenders for 160-pound champ Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs), is the first world-ranked opponent of Nmomah’s eight-year pro career. Mielnicki will fight outside of the United States for the first time since he was an amateur.
In addition to Phoenix’s Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) facing England’s Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in the 12-round main event, “The Ring IV” show will pit WBO welterweight champ Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs), of Conyers, Georgia, against former undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), of Henderson, Nevada, in the 12-round co-feature.
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
David Benavidez training camp update; parts with Memo Heredia
As David Benavidez heads to his first WBC light heavyweight title defense next month, he is approaching it with a new reality.
“He’s super motivated, super happy and connecting with God and the vibe,” Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Snr, told Boxing Scene on Monday from the family’s training compound in Seattle.
“This will be the toughest fight of his career, and we know every fight after this will be tougher.”
Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), is a two-division titleholder who also reigned at super middleweight. He will meet England’s two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde, 27-3 (24 KOs), in the main event of the loaded November 22 Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia that also includes title fights featuring Brian Norman Jnr vs. Devin Haney, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez and Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes.
“David’s fighting a guy who stumbled and hurt [former undisputed champion Artur] Beterbiev, and he also fought ‘The Krusher’ [Sergey Kovalev] … so he may be thinking this is his last chance to fight for a world title,” Benavidez Snr said. “We’re preparing as if [Yarde’s] coming with everything, motivated, training like never before.
“So David has to look spectacular. There’s nothing else he can do but win and look great as he steps to higher competition and to the tougher fights people want to see.”
For David Benavidez, appetizing opponents have been mentioned as potential next foes should he defeat Yarde, including the winner of the trilogy rubber match between Beterbiev and three-belt light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and cruiserweight champions Jai Opetaia and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
Following his June 28 unified title defense over Yuniel Dorticos, Ramirez mentioned Benavidez first to BS when asked whom he most wants to fight next.
Ramirez underwent shoulder surgery in July, but one official familiar with talks said there has been mention of attempting to make a fight with Benavidez in Las Vegas in 2026.
Benavidez remains a part of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable, Jose Benavidez Snr emphasized, detailing that his son’s “performance” will determine which route they proceed.
“This is the biggest fight of David’s career, so we must remain 100% focused on this fight,” Benavidez said. “David will fight anybody. We don’t run from anyone. We always want the fights that people want to see.”
Benavidez said his son has severed ties with controversial strength and conditioning coach Angel “Memo” Heredia and reunited with their former strength and conditioning coach, Cem Eren.
Benavidez said his son has been “sharp, accurate, fast” with “reflexes and IQ … everything has been right on point.”
David Benavidez’s sparring partners have included super middleweights Julio Porras, 13-0 (9 KOs), of Mexico, and Daniel Blancas, 13-0 (6 KOs), of Wisconsin, after starting with cruiserweights and heavyweights.
Blancas will fight on the undercard of the October 25 pay-per-view card headlined by Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman, while Porras will be on the November 22 card in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m expecting David to look at his best on November 22, and to keep improving, showing the world who he is – the ‘Mexican Monster,’” said Benavidez Snr.
As David Benavidez heads to his first WBC light heavyweight title defense next month, he is approaching it with a new reality.
“He’s super motivated, super happy and connecting with God and the vibe,” Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Snr, told Boxing Scene on Monday from the family’s training compound in Seattle.
“This will be the toughest fight of his career, and we know every fight after this will be tougher.”
Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), is a two-division titleholder who also reigned at super middleweight. He will meet England’s two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde, 27-3 (24 KOs), in the main event of the loaded November 22 Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia that also includes title fights featuring Brian Norman Jnr vs. Devin Haney, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez and Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes.
“David’s fighting a guy who stumbled and hurt [former undisputed champion Artur] Beterbiev, and he also fought ‘The Krusher’ [Sergey Kovalev] … so he may be thinking this is his last chance to fight for a world title,” Benavidez Snr said. “We’re preparing as if [Yarde’s] coming with everything, motivated, training like never before.
“So David has to look spectacular. There’s nothing else he can do but win and look great as he steps to higher competition and to the tougher fights people want to see.”
For David Benavidez, appetizing opponents have been mentioned as potential next foes should he defeat Yarde, including the winner of the trilogy rubber match between Beterbiev and three-belt light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and cruiserweight champions Jai Opetaia and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
Following his June 28 unified title defense over Yuniel Dorticos, Ramirez mentioned Benavidez first to BS when asked whom he most wants to fight next.
Ramirez underwent shoulder surgery in July, but one official familiar with talks said there has been mention of attempting to make a fight with Benavidez in Las Vegas in 2026.
Benavidez remains a part of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable, Jose Benavidez Snr emphasized, detailing that his son’s “performance” will determine which route they proceed.
“This is the biggest fight of David’s career, so we must remain 100% focused on this fight,” Benavidez said. “David will fight anybody. We don’t run from anyone. We always want the fights that people want to see.”
Benavidez said his son has severed ties with controversial strength and conditioning coach Angel “Memo” Heredia and reunited with their former strength and conditioning coach, Cem Eren.
Benavidez said his son has been “sharp, accurate, fast” with “reflexes and IQ … everything has been right on point.”
David Benavidez’s sparring partners have included super middleweights Julio Porras, 13-0 (9 KOs), of Mexico, and Daniel Blancas, 13-0 (6 KOs), of Wisconsin, after starting with cruiserweights and heavyweights.
Blancas will fight on the undercard of the October 25 pay-per-view card headlined by Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman, while Porras will be on the November 22 card in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m expecting David to look at his best on November 22, and to keep improving, showing the world who he is – the ‘Mexican Monster,’” said Benavidez Snr.
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Deon Nicholson reports the fight with Artur Beterbiev is off
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Deon Nicholson reports November 22 fight with Artur Beterbiev is off
The matchup between former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Deon Nicholson scheduled for November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been called off according to multiple Nicholson social media posts shared on Thursday.
“Just got word that my fight with Artur Beterbiev was canceled be the will of God I’ll have info on another fight soon,” read the post from Nicholson’s Facebook account.
In a post on Nicholson’s Instagram account: “Still working and preparing for whoever come @arturbeterbiev maybe another day.”
The fight would have been Russia-born Beterbiev’s first since losing all four 175lbs belts to Dmitry Bivol in their rematch last February, and was arranged after Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs), had tried and failed to call out Bivol for a rubber match.
Nicholson, 22-1 (18 KOs), a 35-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had been preparing for a massive step up in competition in Beterbiev, who, despite mounting injuries and his 40 years, would have been far and away the most dangerous opponent in Nicholson’s career.
No reason was given by Nicholson for the cancellation. BS will follow up with more details on this story as they become available.
The matchup between former undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Deon Nicholson scheduled for November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been called off according to multiple Nicholson social media posts shared on Thursday.
“Just got word that my fight with Artur Beterbiev was canceled be the will of God I’ll have info on another fight soon,” read the post from Nicholson’s Facebook account.
In a post on Nicholson’s Instagram account: “Still working and preparing for whoever come @arturbeterbiev maybe another day.”
The fight would have been Russia-born Beterbiev’s first since losing all four 175lbs belts to Dmitry Bivol in their rematch last February, and was arranged after Beterbiev, 21-1 (20 KOs), had tried and failed to call out Bivol for a rubber match.
Nicholson, 22-1 (18 KOs), a 35-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had been preparing for a massive step up in competition in Beterbiev, who, despite mounting injuries and his 40 years, would have been far and away the most dangerous opponent in Nicholson’s career.
No reason was given by Nicholson for the cancellation. BS will follow up with more details on this story as they become available.
Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Omg. I was looking forward to Beterbiev fight despite Nicholson isnt exactly world class.
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Anthony Yarde: If I Hit David Benavidez Clean, The Fight Is Done
Anthony Yarde is sure he hurt Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev in his first two light heavyweight title fights.
If the heavy-handed London native connects correctly when he encounters David Benavidez next month, he is convinced he’ll finish off the unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champion. Yarde understands that there won’t be anything easy about battling Benavidez, but he is very confident he’ll leave the ring November 22 as a world champion.
Yarde offered his perspective during the newest episode of “Inside The Ring,” which premiered on DAZN on Monday.
“These kinda things excite me for some reason,” Yarde told co-hosts Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger. “I don’t know why. Don’t ask me why, but this is why I got into the sport, to be in big fights, be in fights that, you know, people are talking about, entertaining fights. And for me it’s like, you know, we can both hit, and I just feel like if I land on Benavidez the fight is done.
“Especially with the way I’ve been training – I’m sure he’s been training ferociously as well because he’s gonna wanna make a statement. But I just know if I land against any light heavyweight on the planet, I’m gonna win the fight. So, that’s what’s so exciting for me.”
Phoenix’s Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is a 10-1 favorite over Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). The English challenger, who was stopped by Beterbiev and Kovalev, hasn’t taken offense to odds DraftKings and other sportsbooks list on the main event of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“One thing about me as well,” Yarde added, “I’m like I know some people try to sell themselves or say, ‘I’m the best,’ or whatever. And I feel like in boxing you’ve just gotta prove it. You know, I’m a underdog for a reason in this fight. That’s what is gonna make me thrive in this fight.
“I feel like in boxing you’ve gotta earn your place as well. So, if I’m gonna be world champion I want it to be fights like this, you know, against a real solid champion. … There’s something within me that feels this was the fight that was put on my plate for a reason.”
The card headlined by Benavidez, 28, and Yarde, 34, will be streamed by DAZN Pay-Per-View in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99).
Anthony Yarde is sure he hurt Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev in his first two light heavyweight title fights.
If the heavy-handed London native connects correctly when he encounters David Benavidez next month, he is convinced he’ll finish off the unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champion. Yarde understands that there won’t be anything easy about battling Benavidez, but he is very confident he’ll leave the ring November 22 as a world champion.
Yarde offered his perspective during the newest episode of “Inside The Ring,” which premiered on DAZN on Monday.
“These kinda things excite me for some reason,” Yarde told co-hosts Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger. “I don’t know why. Don’t ask me why, but this is why I got into the sport, to be in big fights, be in fights that, you know, people are talking about, entertaining fights. And for me it’s like, you know, we can both hit, and I just feel like if I land on Benavidez the fight is done.
“Especially with the way I’ve been training – I’m sure he’s been training ferociously as well because he’s gonna wanna make a statement. But I just know if I land against any light heavyweight on the planet, I’m gonna win the fight. So, that’s what’s so exciting for me.”
Phoenix’s Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is a 10-1 favorite over Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). The English challenger, who was stopped by Beterbiev and Kovalev, hasn’t taken offense to odds DraftKings and other sportsbooks list on the main event of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“One thing about me as well,” Yarde added, “I’m like I know some people try to sell themselves or say, ‘I’m the best,’ or whatever. And I feel like in boxing you’ve just gotta prove it. You know, I’m a underdog for a reason in this fight. That’s what is gonna make me thrive in this fight.
“I feel like in boxing you’ve gotta earn your place as well. So, if I’m gonna be world champion I want it to be fights like this, you know, against a real solid champion. … There’s something within me that feels this was the fight that was put on my plate for a reason.”
The card headlined by Benavidez, 28, and Yarde, 34, will be streamed by DAZN Pay-Per-View in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99).
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
ANTHONY YARDE SENSES OVERCONFIDENCE FROM DAVID BENAVIDEZ BECAUSE HE IS UNDEFEATED
Anthony Yarde isn’t convinced David Benavidez is fully focused on their fight.
The British contender can’t help but believe Benavidez has planned too far ahead before they’ve fought for his WBC light heavyweight title. He has heard and read Benavidez’s comments about challenging Dmitry Bivol when The Ring and former undisputed champ returns from back surgery, eventually facing another former fully unified champ in Artur Beterbiev before moving up to cruiserweight for a fight with WBA/WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) contends that he merely answers questions honestly when he is interviewed. Those discussions, from Benavidez’s viewpoint, are not a reflection of how he is approaching his title defense against the heavy-handed Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs).
Regardless, Yarde thinks Benavidez’s unblemished record has given the Phoenix native an aura of invincibility that was beaten out of him in technical-knockout losses to Beterbiev and another former unified champ, Sergey Kovalev.
Knowing what it’s like to lose and dealing with the damage defeats do to a boxer’s career, is an advantage Yarde feels will help him when they square off in the 12-round main event of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yarde detailed his perspective as part of a recent “Inside The Ring” interview with co-hosts Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger and panelists Chris Arreola and LeSean McCoy.
“For me, one thing I know about myself is, again, I’ve taken a loss before and I know how to handle it,” Yarde said. “So, I feel like that’s what makes me more dangerous in this fight. David Benavidez has never lost and I feel like sometimes that can be a bit, you know, that can be overconfidence. I’ve seen, you know, certain interviews, and when he’s talking about fights after me and things like that. So, hopefully he’s focused for this fight because from what I’ve learned from studying the sport of boxing, that’s how people slip up.”
Russia’s Kovalev stopped Yarde in the 11th round of a bout Yarde trailed on all three scorecards in August 2019 in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia. That win enabled Kovalev to secure a career-high payday against Canelo Alvarez in his following fight.
Yarde led Beterbiev on one card when the Russian knockout artist stopped him in the eighth round of their January 2023 bout in London.
Then-unbeaten Brit Lyndon Arthur is the only other opponent to defeat Yarde, but Yarde avenged that split-decision loss in December 2020 by knocking out Arthur in the fourth round of their rematch almost a year later. Yarde also unanimously outpointed Arthur in their 12-round rubber match on April 26 in London.
“After I fought Beterbiev he said I’m up next,” Yarde said. “After I fought Kovalev, he said I’m up next as well. Mexicans, their styles are very, very different. David Benavidez has been ... you can call it almost perfect so far. And these are the things that make me thrive. I’ll just be real with you. I don’t want no trying to persuade the public or anything like that. The public that have watched me fight before, they know they’re gonna see a good fight. But I’m gonna be the underdog and I just want everyone to tune in.”
The 12-round bout between Benavidez, 28, and Yarde, 34, will headline a DAZN Pay-Per-View show in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99). DraftKings established Benavidez, The Ring’s No. 2 contender in the 175-pound division, as a 10-1 favorite versus the fourth-ranked Yarde.
Anthony Yarde isn’t convinced David Benavidez is fully focused on their fight.
The British contender can’t help but believe Benavidez has planned too far ahead before they’ve fought for his WBC light heavyweight title. He has heard and read Benavidez’s comments about challenging Dmitry Bivol when The Ring and former undisputed champ returns from back surgery, eventually facing another former fully unified champ in Artur Beterbiev before moving up to cruiserweight for a fight with WBA/WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) contends that he merely answers questions honestly when he is interviewed. Those discussions, from Benavidez’s viewpoint, are not a reflection of how he is approaching his title defense against the heavy-handed Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs).
Regardless, Yarde thinks Benavidez’s unblemished record has given the Phoenix native an aura of invincibility that was beaten out of him in technical-knockout losses to Beterbiev and another former unified champ, Sergey Kovalev.
Knowing what it’s like to lose and dealing with the damage defeats do to a boxer’s career, is an advantage Yarde feels will help him when they square off in the 12-round main event of “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” card November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yarde detailed his perspective as part of a recent “Inside The Ring” interview with co-hosts Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger and panelists Chris Arreola and LeSean McCoy.
“For me, one thing I know about myself is, again, I’ve taken a loss before and I know how to handle it,” Yarde said. “So, I feel like that’s what makes me more dangerous in this fight. David Benavidez has never lost and I feel like sometimes that can be a bit, you know, that can be overconfidence. I’ve seen, you know, certain interviews, and when he’s talking about fights after me and things like that. So, hopefully he’s focused for this fight because from what I’ve learned from studying the sport of boxing, that’s how people slip up.”
Russia’s Kovalev stopped Yarde in the 11th round of a bout Yarde trailed on all three scorecards in August 2019 in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia. That win enabled Kovalev to secure a career-high payday against Canelo Alvarez in his following fight.
Yarde led Beterbiev on one card when the Russian knockout artist stopped him in the eighth round of their January 2023 bout in London.
Then-unbeaten Brit Lyndon Arthur is the only other opponent to defeat Yarde, but Yarde avenged that split-decision loss in December 2020 by knocking out Arthur in the fourth round of their rematch almost a year later. Yarde also unanimously outpointed Arthur in their 12-round rubber match on April 26 in London.
“After I fought Beterbiev he said I’m up next,” Yarde said. “After I fought Kovalev, he said I’m up next as well. Mexicans, their styles are very, very different. David Benavidez has been ... you can call it almost perfect so far. And these are the things that make me thrive. I’ll just be real with you. I don’t want no trying to persuade the public or anything like that. The public that have watched me fight before, they know they’re gonna see a good fight. But I’m gonna be the underdog and I just want everyone to tune in.”
The 12-round bout between Benavidez, 28, and Yarde, 34, will headline a DAZN Pay-Per-View show in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99). DraftKings established Benavidez, The Ring’s No. 2 contender in the 175-pound division, as a 10-1 favorite versus the fourth-ranked Yarde.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
YARDE’S TRAINER BELIEVES BENAVIDEZ IS OVERLOOKING ‘THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE’
David Benavidez has been accused of overlooking the challenge of Anthony Yarde by the Londoner’s trainer, Tunde Ajayi.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) makes the first defence of his WBC light heavyweight title against Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) on November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yarde, who will challenge for a 175-pound title for the third time, has been made a wide outsider by the oddsmakers ahead of the clash, which tops “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” event. Ajayi believes there is a chance that Benavidez is simply not taking them seriously.
“I just think whenever somebody is already talking about another fight in the future, then they are overlooking the one in front of them,” Ajayi told The Ring. “So, yeah, keep overlooking us. He’s talking about [Dmitry] Bivol and [Artur] Beterbiev and I’m like, “Are you having a laugh mate?’ Do you think we are coming here to mess about? We are coming here to fight, and David Benavidez is going to be in the fight of his life.”
Benavidez, a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, decided to move up to light heavyweight in June 2024 in order to face Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim version of the WBC’s title.
After beating the Ukrainian on points, he then did the same against David Morrell in February, but he had to get up off the floor in the 11th round to win. He was elevated to full champion in April after Bivol decided to vacate his belt.
Yarde, meanwhile, is a career light heavyweight and far more established at the weight. He has been stopped in his previous two world title challenges, albeit against two 175 pound greats in Sergey Kovalev and Beterbiev.
“I think Anthony just needs to be himself in this fight,” Ajayi added. “We all heard him tell Benavidez that he wants to have a shootout. Let’s get it right, this kid has had two fights at light heavyweight – Gvozdyk, who he gassed out against and then he got dropped by Morrell, an 11-fight novice. I’m just keeping it real, he’d had 11 professional fights.
“Yes, he had amateur experience, but he’s not Beterbiev or Kovalev, a two-time Ring magazine ‘Fighter of the Year.’ He’s not that level. But Ant has got that experience against those guys and he’s still fresh as a daisy. I’m aware of Benavidez’s achievements, I’m aware that he’s very feared, I’ve heard the sparring stories and heard David said everyone turned down the fight. But we are not everyone.”
Ajayi, a mainstay of the London boxing scene for nearly 30 years, has been Yarde’s one and only trainer since he embarked on his professional career back in 2015. An upset victory over Benavidez would represent Ajayi’s first world title as a coach – so has he dared to dream about that moment?
“Every single day,” he says. “I think about it every single day. That’s why this is a big fight. There’s a lot on the line. From my own personal perspective, I feel like it’s my reputation on the line. All I can say is if there was one man I’d want to do this with, it’s Anthony Yarde.”
David Benavidez has been accused of overlooking the challenge of Anthony Yarde by the Londoner’s trainer, Tunde Ajayi.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) makes the first defence of his WBC light heavyweight title against Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) on November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yarde, who will challenge for a 175-pound title for the third time, has been made a wide outsider by the oddsmakers ahead of the clash, which tops “The Ring IV: Night of Champions” event. Ajayi believes there is a chance that Benavidez is simply not taking them seriously.
“I just think whenever somebody is already talking about another fight in the future, then they are overlooking the one in front of them,” Ajayi told The Ring. “So, yeah, keep overlooking us. He’s talking about [Dmitry] Bivol and [Artur] Beterbiev and I’m like, “Are you having a laugh mate?’ Do you think we are coming here to mess about? We are coming here to fight, and David Benavidez is going to be in the fight of his life.”
Benavidez, a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, decided to move up to light heavyweight in June 2024 in order to face Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim version of the WBC’s title.
After beating the Ukrainian on points, he then did the same against David Morrell in February, but he had to get up off the floor in the 11th round to win. He was elevated to full champion in April after Bivol decided to vacate his belt.
Yarde, meanwhile, is a career light heavyweight and far more established at the weight. He has been stopped in his previous two world title challenges, albeit against two 175 pound greats in Sergey Kovalev and Beterbiev.
“I think Anthony just needs to be himself in this fight,” Ajayi added. “We all heard him tell Benavidez that he wants to have a shootout. Let’s get it right, this kid has had two fights at light heavyweight – Gvozdyk, who he gassed out against and then he got dropped by Morrell, an 11-fight novice. I’m just keeping it real, he’d had 11 professional fights.
“Yes, he had amateur experience, but he’s not Beterbiev or Kovalev, a two-time Ring magazine ‘Fighter of the Year.’ He’s not that level. But Ant has got that experience against those guys and he’s still fresh as a daisy. I’m aware of Benavidez’s achievements, I’m aware that he’s very feared, I’ve heard the sparring stories and heard David said everyone turned down the fight. But we are not everyone.”
Ajayi, a mainstay of the London boxing scene for nearly 30 years, has been Yarde’s one and only trainer since he embarked on his professional career back in 2015. An upset victory over Benavidez would represent Ajayi’s first world title as a coach – so has he dared to dream about that moment?
“Every single day,” he says. “I think about it every single day. That’s why this is a big fight. There’s a lot on the line. From my own personal perspective, I feel like it’s my reputation on the line. All I can say is if there was one man I’d want to do this with, it’s Anthony Yarde.”
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Thomastearns
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
I think we all know what the fiscally astute Tunde Ajayi's been dreaming about.
Nevertheless, there are those who doubt Benavidez's powers of destruction at LHW and Yarde's experience of going in with Beterbiev should leave him with very little to fear here.
This could finally be his time if Benavidez makes one misstep.
Nevertheless, there are those who doubt Benavidez's powers of destruction at LHW and Yarde's experience of going in with Beterbiev should leave him with very little to fear here.
This could finally be his time if Benavidez makes one misstep.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
‘I just know this is it’: Anthony Yarde looks to vindicate himself against David Benavidez
Anthony Yarde will take his shot at a dangerous David Benavidez next weekend in Saudi Arabia.
With Anthony Yarde getting ready for his next upcoming title opportunity when he takes on David Benavidez on Nov. 22 in Riyadh, DAZN takes us behind the scenes of Yarde’s training camp as he aims to get over the hump to become a world champion after having twice fallen short.
“If you look at my fights — going into the Kovalev fight, confident. Going into the Beterbiev fight, confident. If you’re not confident in boxing, you’re in the wrong sport,” Yarde would say. “What I can genuinely take confidence from is I’ve seen my performance get better each time even though the opponent on paper has got better…I started boxing late, both of them fights came down to inexperience. I feel like I’m more experienced now so it’s exciting.
“People are going to have their opinion. They’re going to say ‘he’s had two world title fights, he’s lost’ or whatever. There’s just something in my mind, I just know this is it…I’m a realist, I like to say things that I believe is true.
“I feel like him coming forward is going to be good, it’s going to suit my style. I will only know how hard he hits once I get in there with him. I feel like it’s going to be an exciting fight.”
Watch the full video segment of Yarde in camp in the video link at the top!
Anthony Yarde will take his shot at a dangerous David Benavidez next weekend in Saudi Arabia.
With Anthony Yarde getting ready for his next upcoming title opportunity when he takes on David Benavidez on Nov. 22 in Riyadh, DAZN takes us behind the scenes of Yarde’s training camp as he aims to get over the hump to become a world champion after having twice fallen short.
“If you look at my fights — going into the Kovalev fight, confident. Going into the Beterbiev fight, confident. If you’re not confident in boxing, you’re in the wrong sport,” Yarde would say. “What I can genuinely take confidence from is I’ve seen my performance get better each time even though the opponent on paper has got better…I started boxing late, both of them fights came down to inexperience. I feel like I’m more experienced now so it’s exciting.
“People are going to have their opinion. They’re going to say ‘he’s had two world title fights, he’s lost’ or whatever. There’s just something in my mind, I just know this is it…I’m a realist, I like to say things that I believe is true.
“I feel like him coming forward is going to be good, it’s going to suit my style. I will only know how hard he hits once I get in there with him. I feel like it’s going to be an exciting fight.”
Watch the full video segment of Yarde in camp in the video link at the top!
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
ANTHONY YARDE DOESN’T THINK DAVID BENAVIDEZ HAS BEEN HIT BY ANYONE LIKE HIM
David Benavidez’s chin has been one of his most reliable attributes as he evolved into one of the best boxers in the world.
He was officially knocked down by David Morrell Jr. in the 11th round of their fight February 1, but their legs clearly got tangled before Benavidez briefly fell to the canvas. Anthony Yarde is nonetheless looking forward to testing Benavidez’s durability during their 12-round fight for Benavidez’s WBC light heavyweight title November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t think he’s been hit by anybody who hits like me yet,” Yarde told The Ring. “But we’ve just got to wait and see on fight night. One thing I’m very sure of is styles make fights. Styles make fights, so it’s gonna be an exciting one.”
The heavy-handed Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) hurt former light heavyweight champions Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev in each of his first two defeats. Kovalev and Beterbiev, both punishing punchers themselves, recovered and eventually defeated Yarde by technical knockout.
The London native is certain he can buzz Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) as well, particularly after what Yarde noticed when Benavidez beat Cuba’s Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) unanimously on points nine months ago at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“The highlight I saw was I think Morrell landed a left hook and Benavidez’s legs dipped a little bit,” Yarde said. “But again, I think that’s a credit to how good Benavidez has been. So, if he gets caught with anything, people are like, ‘ha, ha,’ even though he dominated the fight.”
Yarde is unfazed by Benavidez being listed by most sportsbooks as at least a 10-1 favorite to beat him in the 12-round main event of “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card.
“I’m the kind of person where when someone’s in front of me and I’m the underdog,” Yarde said, “you will see the best of me, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The 34-year-old challenger recognizes, however, why Benavidez is so heavily favored to win the last of four fights DAZN will distribute on pay-per-view in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99).
Benavidez, 28, has won world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. The Phoenix native is also No. 9 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.
“I’m not silly,” Yarde said. “The guy’s still undefeated. You know, he’s moved up to my weight and he’s fought some of the best at my weight already and beat them. He dominated super middleweight and he’s been world champion. I ain’t yet. I’m a realist, so when you get someone that’s real, I know what I’m in for, and that’s when you get the best version of me.”
David Benavidez’s chin has been one of his most reliable attributes as he evolved into one of the best boxers in the world.
He was officially knocked down by David Morrell Jr. in the 11th round of their fight February 1, but their legs clearly got tangled before Benavidez briefly fell to the canvas. Anthony Yarde is nonetheless looking forward to testing Benavidez’s durability during their 12-round fight for Benavidez’s WBC light heavyweight title November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t think he’s been hit by anybody who hits like me yet,” Yarde told The Ring. “But we’ve just got to wait and see on fight night. One thing I’m very sure of is styles make fights. Styles make fights, so it’s gonna be an exciting one.”
The heavy-handed Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) hurt former light heavyweight champions Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev in each of his first two defeats. Kovalev and Beterbiev, both punishing punchers themselves, recovered and eventually defeated Yarde by technical knockout.
The London native is certain he can buzz Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) as well, particularly after what Yarde noticed when Benavidez beat Cuba’s Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) unanimously on points nine months ago at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“The highlight I saw was I think Morrell landed a left hook and Benavidez’s legs dipped a little bit,” Yarde said. “But again, I think that’s a credit to how good Benavidez has been. So, if he gets caught with anything, people are like, ‘ha, ha,’ even though he dominated the fight.”
Yarde is unfazed by Benavidez being listed by most sportsbooks as at least a 10-1 favorite to beat him in the 12-round main event of “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card.
“I’m the kind of person where when someone’s in front of me and I’m the underdog,” Yarde said, “you will see the best of me, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The 34-year-old challenger recognizes, however, why Benavidez is so heavily favored to win the last of four fights DAZN will distribute on pay-per-view in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99).
Benavidez, 28, has won world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. The Phoenix native is also No. 9 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.
“I’m not silly,” Yarde said. “The guy’s still undefeated. You know, he’s moved up to my weight and he’s fought some of the best at my weight already and beat them. He dominated super middleweight and he’s been world champion. I ain’t yet. I’m a realist, so when you get someone that’s real, I know what I’m in for, and that’s when you get the best version of me.”
Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Benavidez vs Yarde is a solid first defense. Yarde's got that 88% KO ratio and he’s always dangerous early, but Benavidez is younger, fresher, and way more consistent. Yarde’s last win wasn’t exactly exciting, but four straight victories still earned him the shot.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Jul 2025, 03:36
David Benavidez First World Title Defence Against Fighter With 88% KO Ratio Officially Announced
David Benavidez is set for the first defence of his WBC Light-Heavyweight World Title this November.
The undefeated 28-year-old moved up to the 175lbs division after failing to secure a shot at super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Since doing so, Benavidez has not put a foot wrong in the division, beating Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his debut to win the WBC Interim belt and then adding the WBA Regular strap next time out against tough David Morrell.
Benavidez was upgraded to full champion on April 7 when previously undisputed Dmitry Bivol decided to vacate the WBC belt in favour of having a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev.
Though ‘El Monstruo’ said he did not want to win the belt without throwing a punch, he has since promised to continue to deliver fans some of the best match-ups in the sport. His first defence was, according to the team, between Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde. The two Brits are ranked second and third respectively with the WBC.
Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh has now announced that it is Yarde who has landed the shot.
Yarde – 27‑3 with 24 KOs – recently closed out his light-heavyweight trilogy with Lyndon Arthur on April 26 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Securing a unanimous decision, the big-punching 33-year-old delivered a gritty performance – but the fight was considered dull by many fans and analysts.
Despite that, the win adds to Yarde’s momentum, bringing him to four straight victories after his 2023 defeat to Artur Beterbiev. He has previously lost to Sergey Kovalev in the other world title challenge of his career.
More on the fight is expected soon, but it looks to be landing on the same card as Devin Haney vs welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr.
On paper, this is Benavidez’s fight to lose—pressure, volume, durability—but Yarde can make things interesting if he lands big. Should be a fun addition to the Haney–Norman Jr. card.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Benavidez batters and stops Yarde- about 8 rounds.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Anthony Yarde Prepares To Open The Fourth File In His Strange 10-Year Career
After 10 years and 30 fights as a professional, Anthony Yarde's previous opponents can be safely filed into three specific categories.
File one; fighters nowhere near his level. File two; Russian killers. File three: Lyndon Arthur. It is really that simple.
On Saturday night in Riyadh, in the main event of The Ring IV card at ANB Arena, Yarde will take his first step outside those options when he faces David Benavidez, who is the firm favourite, and is neither Russian nor Lyndon Arthur.
In many ways, Yarde has had a strange career. He turned over with very limited amateur experience and boxed nine times in his first 18 months as a professional, winning all but one inside the first two rounds.
By then it was clear he was emerging as one of the most marketable figures in allegedly’s stable at the time. He had the looks, personality and ability to knock people out which would guarantee him high billing from there on in.
Another five fights would follow in 2017 with Yarde crushing the quintet of overmatched opponents inside the distance once again. It was clear he needed stepping up and in 2018 he was finally taken some rounds, although Tony Averlant and Dariusz Sek were both sent packing in the seventh.
Another two stoppages would follow, against Walter Sequeira and Travis Reeves, neither of whom could really land on Yarde. In fact, across his first 18 fights you could probably count the number of times anyone had landed anything of note on him on just one hand.
Not the ideal preparation, you could argue, for a showdown with Sergey Kovalev, one of the generation’s most devastating punchers but that is what followed for Yarde, who had to travel to Chelyabinsk, Russia for the opportunity.
He came close to stopping the Russian all-time-great in a famous eighth-round siege but was eventually taken out himself in the 11th of his first world title fight.
It had not gone his way but Yarde returned home with plenty of credit in the bank.
Now was the time, it seemed, for him to press on with his career and push towards another world title fight with experience banked. Covid, however, would be a devastating time for the east Londoner, who lost four family members in the first six months of the pandemic, including his father and grandmother.
He boxed three times in 2020, with two routine stoppage wins before his first fight with Arthur, which he lost on points in Westminster. It was a hammer blow to his climb back towards the top. He destroyed Alex Theran inside a round six months later before he had revenge against Arthur, winning the rematch inside four brutal rounds.
But then followed an 11-month break, which was only ended when he faced little-known Bulgarian Stefani Koykov, who was vanquished in the third. Once again, not the ideal preparation, you could argue, for a showdown with Artur Beterbiev, the second Russian killer on this list.
It was a similar story to Chelyabinsk, with Yarde having his moments but ultimately lacking the requisite seasoning to overcome a champion like Beterbiev, who won in the eighth.
By now it was 2023 and there would be three more names added to the first file in the form of Jorge Silva, Marko Nikolic and Ralfs Vilcans. Then, another entry for the third, with Arthur and Yarde completing their trilogy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
Now the question is, at 34 years of age and 10 years in this game, does Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) finally have what it takes to hit the road and overcome an established world champion?
Since stepping up to light-heavyweight, Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) has beaten both Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell and the oddsmakers are expecting him to add Yarde’s name to that list.
They would point to his career so far, with a string of expected wins, a 2-1 series victory over Arthur and two stoppage defeats in world title fights, and hypothesise that an undefeated puncher like Benavidez will be too much to him.
But if the Beast from the East can make it third time lucky in world title attempts and become the WBC light-heavyweight champion, you can safely file his victory among the best away wins in British boxing history.
The Ring IV: Night of the Champions takes place on Saturday, November 22 and will stream live on DAZN PPV from 3pm ET/8pm GMT.
After 10 years and 30 fights as a professional, Anthony Yarde's previous opponents can be safely filed into three specific categories.
File one; fighters nowhere near his level. File two; Russian killers. File three: Lyndon Arthur. It is really that simple.
On Saturday night in Riyadh, in the main event of The Ring IV card at ANB Arena, Yarde will take his first step outside those options when he faces David Benavidez, who is the firm favourite, and is neither Russian nor Lyndon Arthur.
In many ways, Yarde has had a strange career. He turned over with very limited amateur experience and boxed nine times in his first 18 months as a professional, winning all but one inside the first two rounds.
By then it was clear he was emerging as one of the most marketable figures in allegedly’s stable at the time. He had the looks, personality and ability to knock people out which would guarantee him high billing from there on in.
Another five fights would follow in 2017 with Yarde crushing the quintet of overmatched opponents inside the distance once again. It was clear he needed stepping up and in 2018 he was finally taken some rounds, although Tony Averlant and Dariusz Sek were both sent packing in the seventh.
Another two stoppages would follow, against Walter Sequeira and Travis Reeves, neither of whom could really land on Yarde. In fact, across his first 18 fights you could probably count the number of times anyone had landed anything of note on him on just one hand.
Not the ideal preparation, you could argue, for a showdown with Sergey Kovalev, one of the generation’s most devastating punchers but that is what followed for Yarde, who had to travel to Chelyabinsk, Russia for the opportunity.
He came close to stopping the Russian all-time-great in a famous eighth-round siege but was eventually taken out himself in the 11th of his first world title fight.
It had not gone his way but Yarde returned home with plenty of credit in the bank.
Now was the time, it seemed, for him to press on with his career and push towards another world title fight with experience banked. Covid, however, would be a devastating time for the east Londoner, who lost four family members in the first six months of the pandemic, including his father and grandmother.
He boxed three times in 2020, with two routine stoppage wins before his first fight with Arthur, which he lost on points in Westminster. It was a hammer blow to his climb back towards the top. He destroyed Alex Theran inside a round six months later before he had revenge against Arthur, winning the rematch inside four brutal rounds.
But then followed an 11-month break, which was only ended when he faced little-known Bulgarian Stefani Koykov, who was vanquished in the third. Once again, not the ideal preparation, you could argue, for a showdown with Artur Beterbiev, the second Russian killer on this list.
It was a similar story to Chelyabinsk, with Yarde having his moments but ultimately lacking the requisite seasoning to overcome a champion like Beterbiev, who won in the eighth.
By now it was 2023 and there would be three more names added to the first file in the form of Jorge Silva, Marko Nikolic and Ralfs Vilcans. Then, another entry for the third, with Arthur and Yarde completing their trilogy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
Now the question is, at 34 years of age and 10 years in this game, does Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) finally have what it takes to hit the road and overcome an established world champion?
Since stepping up to light-heavyweight, Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) has beaten both Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell and the oddsmakers are expecting him to add Yarde’s name to that list.
They would point to his career so far, with a string of expected wins, a 2-1 series victory over Arthur and two stoppage defeats in world title fights, and hypothesise that an undefeated puncher like Benavidez will be too much to him.
But if the Beast from the East can make it third time lucky in world title attempts and become the WBC light-heavyweight champion, you can safely file his victory among the best away wins in British boxing history.
The Ring IV: Night of the Champions takes place on Saturday, November 22 and will stream live on DAZN PPV from 3pm ET/8pm GMT.
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
David Benavidez aims to jump into deeper ends after drowning Anthony Yarde
David Benavidez led the charge Tuesday as participants from “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” made their grand arrivals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez is set to defend his WBC light heavyweight title Saturday when he takes on Anthony Yarde in the main event of a card that will stream live on DAZN PPV beginning at 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT (UK: £24.99; US: $59.99).
Benavidez will be making his ring walk in the wee hours of the morning for his first fight outside of North American soil, and he’s adamant that he’s properly prepared for the foreign occasion and environment.
“I changed my sleeping schedule and have been going to sleep around 7 to 8 a.m. I feel like I should be good. This is why we are world champions. We have to adapt to anything that comes my way,” Benavidez said during an interview with The Ring’s senior insider Mike Coppinger and DAZN commentators Todd Grisham and Sergio Mora.
“[My weight cut] feels good. This is probably the easiest weight cut I’ve had. I have three pounds left to lose. Right now, I’m at 178 pounds. It’s been the easiest weight cut of my career. It’s been one of the best camps of my career. I’m excited. I know Anthony Yarde is coming in prepared, and I’m prepared myself.”
The bout between Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) features two of the world’s top-five light heavyweights. Benavidez is ranked No. 2 by The Ring, Yarde is rated No. 4.
Benavidez, a former two-time super middleweight beltholder, hasn’t scored a stoppage against Oleksandr Gvozdyk or David Morrell in either of his light heavyweight matchups. But “The Mexican Monster” believes he has the power and skills to knock out Yarde, just like former 175-pound kingpins Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev have as the Brit faded in fights after strong starts.
“I know it’s not true [that my power hasn’t carried up to light heavyweight]. I know for a fact that I can hurt these guys,” said Benavidez. “I hurt Gvozdyk and Morrell in my fights. I’ve gotten back to the basics for this camp using footwork, distance and head movement. We’re going to have to set up traps. These are bigger guys. Me walking them down is not going to work like I did at 168. Now I need to follow the game plan and work behind the jab.
“I’m not really too worried about the knockout. What I will say is that I will dominate like I do in every fight. I see a lot of opportunities hurting Yarde. I just have to follow the game plan.”
Benavidez also envisions beating Yarde in such a fierce fashion like he did against the likes of Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade that fans will start calling for him to headline traditional boxing weekends around Cinco De Mayo and Mexican Independence Day, dates that have been dominated by his elusive archrival Canelo Alvarez for more than a decade.
“I am not shying away from any hard fights,” said Benavidez. “I want Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, Gilberto Ramirez, and Jai Opetaia. This is the only way to make a name for myself, and that’s the only way to take the dates. I want to be the person that takes all the biggest fights that fans want to see, and it’s exactly what we are going to do.”
Saturday's card will also feature:
Brian Norman (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs)
Jesse Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), The Ring, WBC and WBO junior bantamweight champion taking on WBA beltholder Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) in a unification bout
Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) duking it out for the vacant WBO lightweight title.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. (21-1, 12 KOs) vs. Samuel Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs); 10 rounds; middleweights
Mohammed Alakel (6-0, 1 KOs) vs. Jiaming Li (7-5, 4 KOs); 6 rounds; junior lightweights
Julio Porras Ruiz (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Pius Mpenda (11-4-1, 5 KOs); 6 rounds; super middleweights
Sultan Almohammed (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. Umesh Chavan (3-1-1, 0 KOs); 4 rounds; lightweights
David Benavidez led the charge Tuesday as participants from “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” made their grand arrivals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez is set to defend his WBC light heavyweight title Saturday when he takes on Anthony Yarde in the main event of a card that will stream live on DAZN PPV beginning at 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT (UK: £24.99; US: $59.99).
Benavidez will be making his ring walk in the wee hours of the morning for his first fight outside of North American soil, and he’s adamant that he’s properly prepared for the foreign occasion and environment.
“I changed my sleeping schedule and have been going to sleep around 7 to 8 a.m. I feel like I should be good. This is why we are world champions. We have to adapt to anything that comes my way,” Benavidez said during an interview with The Ring’s senior insider Mike Coppinger and DAZN commentators Todd Grisham and Sergio Mora.
“[My weight cut] feels good. This is probably the easiest weight cut I’ve had. I have three pounds left to lose. Right now, I’m at 178 pounds. It’s been the easiest weight cut of my career. It’s been one of the best camps of my career. I’m excited. I know Anthony Yarde is coming in prepared, and I’m prepared myself.”
The bout between Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) and Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) features two of the world’s top-five light heavyweights. Benavidez is ranked No. 2 by The Ring, Yarde is rated No. 4.
Benavidez, a former two-time super middleweight beltholder, hasn’t scored a stoppage against Oleksandr Gvozdyk or David Morrell in either of his light heavyweight matchups. But “The Mexican Monster” believes he has the power and skills to knock out Yarde, just like former 175-pound kingpins Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev have as the Brit faded in fights after strong starts.
“I know it’s not true [that my power hasn’t carried up to light heavyweight]. I know for a fact that I can hurt these guys,” said Benavidez. “I hurt Gvozdyk and Morrell in my fights. I’ve gotten back to the basics for this camp using footwork, distance and head movement. We’re going to have to set up traps. These are bigger guys. Me walking them down is not going to work like I did at 168. Now I need to follow the game plan and work behind the jab.
“I’m not really too worried about the knockout. What I will say is that I will dominate like I do in every fight. I see a lot of opportunities hurting Yarde. I just have to follow the game plan.”
Benavidez also envisions beating Yarde in such a fierce fashion like he did against the likes of Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade that fans will start calling for him to headline traditional boxing weekends around Cinco De Mayo and Mexican Independence Day, dates that have been dominated by his elusive archrival Canelo Alvarez for more than a decade.
“I am not shying away from any hard fights,” said Benavidez. “I want Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, Gilberto Ramirez, and Jai Opetaia. This is the only way to make a name for myself, and that’s the only way to take the dates. I want to be the person that takes all the biggest fights that fans want to see, and it’s exactly what we are going to do.”
Saturday's card will also feature:
Brian Norman (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs)
Jesse Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), The Ring, WBC and WBO junior bantamweight champion taking on WBA beltholder Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) in a unification bout
Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) duking it out for the vacant WBO lightweight title.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. (21-1, 12 KOs) vs. Samuel Nmomah (21-0, 5 KOs); 10 rounds; middleweights
Mohammed Alakel (6-0, 1 KOs) vs. Jiaming Li (7-5, 4 KOs); 6 rounds; junior lightweights
Julio Porras Ruiz (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Pius Mpenda (11-4-1, 5 KOs); 6 rounds; super middleweights
Sultan Almohammed (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. Umesh Chavan (3-1-1, 0 KOs); 4 rounds; lightweights
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Re: David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde | DAZN - November 22, 2025
Weigh-in Report - Anthony Yarde Lighter Than David Benavidez - Plus undercard
Light heavyweight for Benavidez's WBC world title, 12 rounds
David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), 174.3 pounds, Miami, Florida
Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), 173.9 pounds, Ilford, London
Welterweight for Norman's WBO belt, 12 rounds
Brian Norman Jr (28-0, 22 KOs, 2 NC), 146 pounds, Conyers, Georgia
Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), 146.6 pounds, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ring, IBF, WBC, WBA junior bantamweight unification, 12 rounds
Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), 114.6lbs, San Antonio, Texas
Fernando Daniel Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs), 113.2lbs, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Vacant WBO lightweight title, 12 rounds
Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), 134 pounds, Cleveland, Ohio
Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), 134.9 pounds, Maidstone, Kent
Light heavyweight for Benavidez's WBC world title, 12 rounds
David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), 174.3 pounds, Miami, Florida
Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), 173.9 pounds, Ilford, London
Welterweight for Norman's WBO belt, 12 rounds
Brian Norman Jr (28-0, 22 KOs, 2 NC), 146 pounds, Conyers, Georgia
Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), 146.6 pounds, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ring, IBF, WBC, WBA junior bantamweight unification, 12 rounds
Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), 114.6lbs, San Antonio, Texas
Fernando Daniel Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs), 113.2lbs, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Vacant WBO lightweight title, 12 rounds
Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), 134 pounds, Cleveland, Ohio
Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), 134.9 pounds, Maidstone, Kent
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