Yarde’s Third World Title Bid Ends in Heartbreak Against Benavidez
British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde has once again fallen short in his pursuit of a world title after a punishing defeat at the hands of WBC champion David Benavidez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a bout that saw the Briton bloodied and battered, Benavidez’s relentless speed and power proved too much, as the fight was stopped in the seventh round.
The early rounds were measured, with both fighters cautiously feeling each other out. Benavidez, known for his ferocious work rate, began to assert dominance in the middle rounds. Yarde, who carried real knockout power in his own right, struggled to find his rhythm as the champion’s combinations started landing with increasing precision. A particularly vicious flurry in the seventh sent Yarde to the canvas, blood streaming from his nose, and forced the referee to step in for his safety after a heavy follow-up barrage.
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Despite the loss, Yarde remained defiant in post-fight comments. He acknowledged the intensity of the bout and expressed pride in his performance, stating he “stuck in there” and tried to handle Benavidez’s pressure. Unfortunately, even a brief advantage or moment of success in earlier rounds was not enough to turn the tide against the unbeaten American, who now boasts 31 wins with 25 knockouts.
The fight also featured controversy, as Benavidez was docked two points for striking Yarde while he was on the canvas, but the outcome had long been determined by the champion’s dominant display. Yarde, 34, now faces the harsh reality that a world title may continue to elude him, having previously lost championship bouts to Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2022.
For Benavidez, the victory solidifies his reputation as one of boxing’s most formidable fighters. He has since announced plans to move up to cruiserweight to challenge Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez for the WBA and WBO titles, aiming to become a three-weight world champion. His confidence and composure were on full display in Riyadh, entering the ring with his young son and engaging warmly with fans before the fight.
Yarde’s career, defined by his willingness to take risks and bypass the traditional domestic route, has seen him step into the ring with some of the sport’s most feared punchers. While he has fallen short on the world stage, his courage and power continue to make him a compelling figure in the light-heavyweight division. Fights with domestic rivals like Joshua Buatsi or Callum Smith may still offer exciting opportunities, giving fans hope that the Hackney-born fighter is far from done.
In the end, Yarde’s resilience was clear, even in defeat, but Benavidez’s relentless speed, accuracy, and sheer power proved decisive, leaving the Briton searching for answers once more in the world title picture.
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