David Benavidez Dominates Anthony Yarde to Retain WBC Light Heavyweight Title

In an electrifying main event at the DAZN pay-per-view Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, David Benavidez proved once again why he's considered one of the most dominant forces in boxing. The undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion pummeled Britain's Anthony Yarde, claiming a seventh-round TKO victory that saw Yarde overwhelmed by Benavidez's physicality and relentless aggression. The win not only saw Benavidez retain his title but also announced his intentions to conquer new divisions, with a move to cruiserweight on the horizon.

Anthony Yarde (27-4, 24 KOs) entered the fight with high expectations. The Brit had been regarded as one of the top contenders in the division, and early on, he showcased some of his signature counter-punching ability. With his jab and movement, Yarde managed to land a few clean shots, but Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) quickly turned up the pressure, pushing Yarde onto the ropes and punishing him with heavy, accurate shots. As the fight progressed, it became increasingly clear that Yarde could not withstand the ferocity and pace set by

"The Monster." Benavidez’s volume punching, which started with sharp two- and three-punch combinations, escalated to a barrage of 10-punch flurries that left Yarde struggling to keep up. Despite showing resilience, the physical toll of the fight began to show in Round 7. Yarde, unable to avoid the barrage of strikes, was forced to take a knee. Although he complained about receiving shots while on the canvas, the knockdown did little to change the course of the fight.

With Yarde hurt and failing to recover, Benavidez cornered him again, landing powerful hooks and uppercuts that had the Brit backed up on the ropes. A decisive left hook from Benavidez in the closing moments of Round 7 prompted the referee to step in, ending the fight to prevent further damage to Yarde.

Following the fight, Benavidez declared his plans for a move up in weight, setting his sights on a three-division world championship. "I got some news for you guys," Benavidez said. "May 2, me vs. Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez. I'm going up to cruiserweight to challenge for his titles. I'm excited for that."

Benavidez's potential matchup with Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs), a former light heavyweight titleholder, has already captured the attention of boxing fans. Both fighters are considered among the best Mexican boxers of their generation, and their clash in a Cinco de Mayo showdown promises to be a highly anticipated event. The fight will likely take place in Las Vegas, although Ramirez is expected to first have a tune-up fight in January, possibly against Robin Safar.

For Benavidez, this win marks a significant achievement: it is his first stoppage victory at light heavyweight. With Dmitry Bivol still widely regarded as the top fighter in the division, Benavidez’s next steps could determine whether he truly cements himself as the number one at 175 pounds or if he can make waves in the cruiserweight division, where the likes of Jai Opetaia and Ramirez are the dominant forces.

Haney, Rodriguez, and Mason Shine on Undercard

While Benavidez stole the show, the night featured other exciting bouts. In the co-feature, Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) continued to prove his elite status in the sport. Haney knocked down Brian Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) in the second round and went on to win a comfortable unanimous decision, dethroning Norman of his WBO welterweight title. With the victory, Haney became a three-division world champion, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

Another standout on the card was Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs), who continued his meteoric rise in the super flyweight division. Rodriguez dominated Fernando "Puma" Martinez (18-1, 9 KOs), earning a stoppage victory that unified the WBA, WBC, and WBO super flyweight titles. His performance was another reminder of why he’s one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing today.

However, the most thrilling fight of the night came in the first championship bout between Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) and Sam Noakes (17-1, 15 KOs). The two lightweight fighters engaged in a back-and-forth war over 12 rounds, with both men digging deep. In the end, Mason emerged victorious by unanimous decision, claiming the WBO lightweight title and making history as the youngest male world champion in boxing at just 21 years old.