Benavidez vs. Yarde: WBC Mild Heavyweight Title Battle Set for Saudi This November

David Benavidez will battle Anthony Yarde this November in Saudi Arabia, defending his newly claimed WBC light-heavyweight title. The bout is a part of the “Riyadh Season” lineup, as confirmed by Turki Alalshikh.

Reasonably than dealing with actual threats Benavidez goes the protected route—taking up Yarde, a puncher who’s already been stopped twice when it counted.

Anthony Yarde Will get One other Title Shot—Why?

Anthony Yarde (24-3, 23 KOs) is a heavy-handed fighter with respectable clips on YouTube, however nothing prior to now yr says “title contender.” Since shedding to Beterbiev, he’s fought smooth opposition and stayed in protected waters. One way or the other, that’s sufficient for one more shot.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) didn’t beat anybody to get the WBC light-heavyweight belt. He bought upgraded to full champion on April 7 after Dmitry Bivol vacated the title to chase a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. No punches thrown, no massive battle received—only a belt handed over because of some well-timed paperwork.

To his credit score, Benavidez did say he didn’t need to win the belt with out incomes it. Then once more, he’s now turning round and preventing Yarde—who’s already been flattened twice at world degree—his first title defence. In response to his workforce, the selection was between Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde. The 2 Brits are ranked second and third with the WBC, however let’s not act like this was ever going to be a 50/50 battle.

Can Yarde Pull Off the Upset?

Yarde was at all times the simpler promote: fewer issues, flashier type, and approach much less likelihood of dragging Benavidez into one thing ugly. It’s a choose wrapped up in rating logic to cowl for the truth that the belt wasn’t received within the ring to start with.

If Benavidez desires to be taken significantly at light-heavyweight, there’s just one path: battle the true names. Bivol. Beterbiev. Buatsi. Smith.  Till then, it’s all noise and theatre.