Benavidez–Yarde KO, Haney–Norman Jr Upset, Mason–Noakes Thriller & Rodriguez–Martinez Domination Headline Explosive Riyadh Combat Evening

WBC Mild Heavyweight champion David Benavidez defended his title, stopping Anthony Yarde in seven rounds on Saturday evening on the ANB Enviornment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Within the co-main occasion, WBO World Welterweight champion Brian Norman, Jr. misplaced by choice to Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney, who scored a knockdown within the second spherical.

(Credit score: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Benavidez (31-0 (25) knocked out Anthony Yarde (27-4 (24) at 1:59 of the seventh spherical of a scheduled 12 rounds.

Within the first spherical, Benavidez outworked Yarde. Within the second spherical, Yarde got here again effectively to even the rating. Within the fourth spherical, Benavidez had Yarde out on his ft within the remaining seconds.

Within the fifth and sixth rounds, Benavidez continued outlanding Yarde, drawing blood from his nostril within the sixth spherical. Within the seventh spherical, Benavidez dropped Yarde with a flurry of punches, however hit him when he was down, dropping a degree from Referee Hector Afu. Upon rising, Yarde took a beating from Benavidez earlier than referee Afu referred to as a halt.

WBC and WBO World tremendous flyweight champion southpaw Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (23-0 (16) knocked out Fernando ‘Pumita’ Martinez (18-1 (9) at 1:25 of the tenth spherical of a scheduled 12 rounds.

Within the first spherical, Martinez had a slight edge in a superb spherical for each. Within the second and third rounds, Rodriguez dominated, drawing blood from the nostril of Martinez on the finish of the third.

From the fifth spherical by way of the ninth, it was all Rodriguez. Within the tenth spherical, Rodriguez dropped Martines for the rely from referee Edward Collantes.

WBO World welterweight champion Brian Norman, Jr. (28-1 (22) misplaced by a 12-round unanimous choice to the previous 2-Division champ Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney (33-0-1nc, (15). Haney scored the lone knockdown in spherical two.

Within the second spherical, Haney landed a left and proper on the chin, dropping Norman for an 8-count from referee Ricky Gonzalez. Upon rising, Norman’s nostril was bleeding, trying in unhealthy form. Within the third by way of the fifth rounds, Norman got here again effectively, although Haney took all three rounds.

Within the seventh by way of the ninth rounds, Norman got here again effectively, taking all three rounds however nonetheless behind. Within the tenth spherical, it was Haney coming again to take the spherical.

Within the eleventh and twelfth rounds, there was an excessive amount of holding from each fighters, with a conflict of heads inflicting a reduce over the suitable eye of Norman.

The scores had been 114-113, 118-111, and 117-110

No. 1 ranked Sam Nokes (17-10 (15) misplaced by a 12-round unanimous choice to southpaw Abdullah Mason (20-0 (17) in a combat for the vacant WBO World Light-weight title.

Mason dominated the primary 4 rounds, outworking Nokes. Within the subsequent 4 rounds, Nokes got here again effectively, night the rating.

Within the tenth spherical, Mason had Nokes out on his ft within the remaining minute with a reduce on his left eyebrow and nostril bleeding. Within the eleventh spherical, Noakes edged it out, coming again effectively. Within the twelfth and remaining spherical, each had their moments, however Mason appeared to have received it.

The scores had been 115-113 twice and 117-111.

Middleweight Vito ‘White Majic’ Mielnicki, Jr. (22-1 (13) stopped Samuel Nmomah (21-1 (5) within the ninth spherical at 2:09 of the ninth spherical of a scheduled 10 rounds.

Within the first three rounds, Mielnicki landed at will. Within the fourth spherical, Nmomah hit Mielnicki behind the pinnacle, dropping him, however referee Hector Afu didn’t rule it a knockdown.

From the fifth by way of the eighth rounds, Mielnicki outworked Nnomah, profitable all of the rounds. Within the ninth spherical, Mielnicki landed a mix, dropping Nnomah for an 8-count from Referee Afu. Upon rising, Mielnicki swarmed throughout Nmomah, inflicting Referee Afu to name a halt.

Tremendous featherweight ‘Mighty’ Mohammed Alakel (7-0 (1) dominated Jiaming Li (7-6 (4) by a six-round unanimous choice, scoring a lone knockdown.

Within the first two rounds, Alakel dominated, ending every spherical rocking Li with a proper on the chin of Li on the finish of the second. Within the third and fourth rounds, Li, coming off a loss by stoppage, is just too defensive, dropping one other spherical with Alakel, largely touchdown jabs.

Within the fifth spherical’s remaining seconds, Alakel landed a counter proper on the chin, dropping Li, who bought up instantly for a rely from referee Pavel Hynek. Within the sixth and remaining spherical, coming off a ten-round win, Alakel didn’t appear to strive for a stoppage with each touchdown punches on the bell.

The scores had been 60-53, 60-53, and 60-53.

Tremendous middleweight Julio ‘Diamante’ Porras (13-0-1 (9) was lucky to get a six-round draw with Pius Mpenda (11-4-2 (5).

Within the first spherical, the taller Porras managed together with his jab, ending the spherical with a proper on the chin of Mpenda. Within the second spherical, after a minute, Mpenda landed a flurry of punches, placing Porras on the defensive. Within the third and fourth rounds, Mpenda landed overhand rights with Porras having his palms to his aspect.

Within the fifth, Mpenda landed an overhand proper on the chin of the taller Porras. Within the sixth and remaining spherical, figuring out he was behind Porras, he was throwing extra rights whereas Mpenda saved touchdown over rights.

The scores had been 57-57, 57-57, and 57-57. Leszek Jankowiak was the referee.

Tremendous featherweight Sultan Almohammed (2-0 (1) stopped Umesh Chavan (3-2-1) at 2:05 of the primary spherical of a scheduled 4 rounds.

Within the first spherical, the 17-year-old Almohammed managed the aggressive Chavan till a physique shot damage him midway by way of the spherical. Amohammed landed a physique shot, forcing Chavan to show his again, forcing referee Edward Collantes to name a halt.

Bantamweight Barker Ssewanyana (1-2-1) misplaced to Juan El Guerito De Tepito (10-0) by a unanimous choice.

Within the first two rounds, the 16-year-old de Tepito, making his debut, was the taller of the 2 and outlanded Ssewanyana, going to the physique by way of his opponent’s excessive trunks.

Ssewanyana is holding an excessive amount of, touchdown an occasional overhand proper. Within the third and fourth rounds, Juan De Tepito managed. Ssewanyana was deducted a degree by referee Manuel Angel Canuel after a number of warnings for holding.

The scores had been 40-35, 40-35, and 40-35.

The Ring Announcer was Thomas Treiber.