David Benavidez is scheduled to defend his WBC Light Heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde this November, as announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Bureau and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation. The specific date and location for Benavidez’s first bout in Riyadh remain undecided.
At 28 years old, Benavidez has been seeking a showdown with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, but with Alvarez showing limited interest, Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) moved up to the light heavyweight division. He stepped into this weight class in June 2024, capturing the vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title by defeating Oleksandr Gvozdyk. In February, Benavidez successfully defended this interim title against David Morell.
Benavidez was later elevated to full WBC champion after Dmitry Bivol, the former voluntary champion, opted to fight Artur Beterbiev instead of defending his title against Benavidez, the interim champion.
Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), hailing from London, will be attempting to win the world title for the third time. Yarde began his career with an 18-0 record but suffered his first loss in 2019 to Sergei Kovalev during a challenge for the WBO light heavyweight belt. Most recently, Yarde won a decision against Lyndon Arthur in April, setting the stage for this high-stakes fight.
Fan Take: This matchup is a crucial moment for light heavyweight boxing fans, as it pits an undefeated and hungry Benavidez against the determined and experienced Yarde. The outcome could reshape the division’s landscape, signaling the rise of a new dominant champion or giving Yarde a breakthrough moment in his career.
