Anthony Yarde is preparing for his third attempt at the world light heavyweight title, determined to perform better than ever. Having faced tough defeats against Russia’s Artur Beterbiev in 2023 and Sergei Kovalev in 2019, Yarde has rebuilt his career and now looks to challenge undefeated American David Benavidez for the WBC belt in Saudi Arabia.
Despite being the underdog again, Yarde believes his experience gained from previous battles makes him a stronger fighter now. The 34-year-old East London boxer went 11 rounds with Kovalev and lasted eight rounds against Beterbiev, who stopped him with a 19th career knockout. Interestingly, at the time of that stoppage, two judges actually had Yarde ahead on their scorecards.
Yarde expressed frustration with losing close fights and emphasized his desire to win this time. He credits the experience from previous title matches for his growth, saying he now knows when to push hard and when to hold back. Reflecting on his fight with Beterbiev, Yarde acknowledged the toughness of his opponent but also recognized his own resilience and how that bout exposed vulnerabilities in Beterbiev, which others like Tory Bivol have since exploited.
Both Kovalev and Beterbiev had reputations for power that eclipsed Benavidez’s, who defends his title for the first time in Riyadh after a recent unanimous decision victory over David Morrell. Yarde respects Benavidez’s mentality and versatility, although he acknowledges that true danger is only clear once fighters step into the ring.
Since his loss to Beterbiev, Yarde has secured four wins, including a notable unanimous victory over Lyndon Arthur last April. He admits there’s room for improvement but remains confident that this fight could be life-changing.
Fan Take: This matchup is a thrilling prospect for boxing enthusiasts as it represents a classic underdog story filled with redemption and resilience. Yarde’s journey highlights the relentless spirit needed in the sport, while a win against Benavidez could shake up the division and inspire new narratives in light heavyweight boxing.
