This Saturday, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host a major night in boxing, featuring four world title bouts. The main event showcases WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez defending his title against challenger Anthony Yarde.
Other key championship fights include WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. battling Devin Haney, a three-belt unification match between WBC and WBO junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and WBA champion Fernando Martinez, and Abdullah Mason going up against Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight crown.
Let’s break down the fight card and the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook:
– David Benavidez (c) is favored at -1200 over Anthony Yarde at +680 for the WBC light heavyweight title.
– Brian Norman Jr. (c) and Devin Haney are evenly matched at -112 each, competing for the WBO welterweight title.
– Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (c) is a heavy favorite at -1200 against Fernando Martinez at +670 for the unified junior bantamweight title.
– Abdullah Mason is favored at -430 against Sam Noakes at +300 for the vacant WBO lightweight title.
Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), just 21, is steadily rising through the ranks, recently handling a tough opponent in Jeremiah Nakatila. Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), seven years older, also has a solid record, with wins over seasoned fighters like Yvan Mendy and Ryan Walsh. While neither has faced significant challenges yet, this fight promises to reveal much about their capabilities. The pick is Mason via unanimous decision at +220 odds.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) had a breakthrough in 2022 by winning a WBC super flyweight title on short notice and defending it twice before reclaiming flyweight titles to become a unified champ ranked No. 5 globally. Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) is known for his aggression, holding the IBF title since 2022 with several defenses. This matchup will test Rodriguez’s tactical skill against Martinez’s relentless style, with Rodriguez favored to win by unanimous decision at +290.
Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs), a former undisputed lightweight champ, faces Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs), who has powered through recent fights to claim the full WBO welterweight title. Haney comes off a controversial no-contest against Ryan Garcia and a lackluster performance versus Jose Ramirez. Norman, with serious knockout power, is seen as the slight favorite now, with a pick for Norman to win by TKO in the 9th round at +210.
In the main event, David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is fully established as the light heavyweight champ, having taken the interim title and now defending it against Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), who has twice challenged for a world title but struggled in some previous high-profile bouts. Both fighters promise a fan-friendly, aggressive fight, though Benavidez is seen as the stronger contender to win by unanimous decision at +185.
Fan Take: This stacked card highlights fresh and established boxing talents, promising high-stakes battles that could shake up rankings across multiple weight classes. For fight fans, it’s a chance to witness potential breakout stars and thrilling title defenses that could shape the sport’s future landscape.
