WBC Special Preview: Benavidez vs Yarde
What happens when a “Monster” meets a “Beast” in a decisive duel? We will find out this weekend on Saturday, November 22 when undefeated WBC world light-heavyweight champion David “The Monster” Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) defends his green and gold belt to Londoner Anthony “The Beast from the East” Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, live on DAZN.
Tale of the tape, fight preview, betting odds and prediction all found below…
Tale of the Tape
DAVID “El Monstruo” BENAVIDEZ (USA)
WBC, & WBA Light-heavyweight World Champion
2x WBC Super-middleweight World Champion
Age: 28
DOB: December 17, 1996
Residence: Seattle, Washington
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona
Record: 30-0, 24 KOs
Total rounds: 160
World championship fights: 4-0, 2 KOs
Height: 6’0.5” – 184cm
Reach: 74.5” – 189cm
Stance: Right-handed
Manager,/Trainer: Jose Benavidez Sr.
Anthony “The Beast from the East” Yarde (UK)
WBC #4 at Light-heavyweight
2x World title contender
Age: 34
DOB: August 13, 1991
Residence: Ilford, Essex, England
Birthplace: Hackney, London, England
Record: 27-3, 24 KOs
Total rounds: 125
World championship fights: 0-1
Height: 6’0” – 1.83cm
Reach: 72” – 1.83 cm
Stance: Right-handed
Manager/trainer: Tunde Ajayi
Fight Preview
Benavidez and Yarde willing to go the extra mileBy James Blears
When you’ve got two powerful punchers in one ring at the same time, both cheerfully willing to swing for the stands, it’s guaranteed to be a real treat for the fans.
For the unbeaten champion, David Benavidez, it’s a voluntary defence of his WBC light-heavyweight title against two-time world title contender from Hackney, Anthony Yarde.
But it’s also a test to underline his power and command of the packed 175lbs division, which is currently filled with talent from the UK.
It’s 34-year-old Yarde’s third – and potentially last – tilt at the world title. Knowing this is potentially his last crack at the crown makes him an especially dangerous challenger – not only will he give it his all, what is there to lose?
“The Beast from the East” can really dig, planting his punches, scoring 24 KOs from 27 wins, resulting in a 89% KO ratio. On the minus side, his defence can be leaky, evidenced by his two knockout defeats, especially his left lead hand, which sometimes dangles down by his hip. His minimal amateur experience could be the cause of having a lack of fundamentals, but he makes up for his wanting defence with his aggressive offence.
David has quickly grown into a Goliath in the light-heavyweight division, winning WBC world titles over two divisions
At six feet two inches tall, it must have been a hunger games challenge to boil down to 168lbs. During the Covid crisis and the era of the ‘Bubble’, he missed the weight by 2.8 pounds and lost the WBC super-middleweight belt on the scales, before taking on Roamer Alexis Angulo, who he unremittingly battered in 10 rounds.
The first time the 28-year-old Mexican-American lost the title was due to a youthful indiscretion with cocaine, which was detected via a random test by VADA. He was barely out of his teens and consequently served a four-month suspension. After 30 bouts, Benavidez has never lost a fight or a title in the ring.
In his most recent fight, Benavidez was defending his WBC Interim light heavyweight title, before being elevated to the absolute champion, following the relinquishing of Dmitry Bivol.
His last fight was against the teak tough WBA Champion David Morrell. Benavidez threw more accurate punches in bunches, attacking the body, whilst also landing some peach left uppercuts. But the Cuban southpaw wasn’t a champion in his own right for nothing, whoch is how he was able to drop Benavidez in the penultimate round.
Unfortunately for him, his knockdown was soon negated for hitting after the bell, subsequently docked a point by Referee Thomas Taylor.
It has been said that David Benavidez put on quite a lot of weight after this fight, but has now shed it. As a youngster, he famously battled the pounds after spending much of his youth overweight, and had to take two years out of his promising undefeated amateur record, in order to slim down.
Piling on the pounds inbetween fights isn’t recommended, but at 28 Benavidez can still control it better.
Anthony Yarde is six years older and heading into the twilight of his career. As the fight progresses, the age factor could well weigh as a significant millstone hanging heavy around his neck.
Another factor to consider is the nature of Yarde’s two world title defeats.
The first was when he was run over by WBO champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, way back in 2019.
Sergey was on home turf at the Tractor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk in Russia, but he was skating on very thin ice, after being caught be a mighty right from Anthony in round eight. Yarde followed up and floundering Sergey was all at sea, yet somehow the experienced wayfarer avoided the impact of another iceberg and survived to hear the bell.
His manager, Egis Klimas, at ringside, could be seen letting out one almighty sigh of relief, as Yarde had been barely but a punch or two away from victory. He had it within the grasp of his hands, but let it slip through his fingers. The chance and the moment as well as the championship opportunity had come and gone, and, he’d used up all of his final reserves of energy all in vain.
In the next round, Sergey was the polar opposite. He regrouped, boxed, and as his head cleared, he launched some eye-watering attacks, especially using the overhand right. By round 11, Yarde was visibly tiring and fading. He almost aimlessly walked right into a straight left, went down and that was that. Too much to bear from the Russian Bear.
Never one to duck a challenge, Yarde’s second title attempt was against mincing machine Artur Beterbiev at Wembley Stadium, in his capital city.
Two years on from Russia, it was his second bite at the cherry. At stake were the WBC, WBO and IBF 175lbs titles.
Fighting daunting “King” Artur is always a heart-rending ordeal. Under the cosh in round eight, fate and a big right hand struck the local. The follow-up right decked him and he was sunk.
He forlornly glanced to his corner blankly staring defeat full in the face and they prudently and immediately waved it off for the sake and well-being of their man, so he could fight another day. How much have those two clobbering defeats taken out of Anthony?
When he fought “The Krusher”, he’d only had 18 previous fights. The rawness was still evident and even though there was plenty of strength, willingness and eagerness, he was still visibly unpolished and a flawed diamond in the rough.
The same excuse can’t be used for the mauling inflicted by KO king Beterbiev. But even then, Yarde’s broad back and powerful physique weren’t able to weather and withstand the eye of the storm, which broke out over his head.
I remember when David Benavidez came to Mexico City, after winning the vacant WBC super-middleweight title back in 2017. He’d won a SD, after a gruelling battle against Ronald Gavril, getting up from a final round knockdown. David was only 20 and still a bit shy, trying to get used to being world champion and its accompanying weight, then resting heavily on his young shoulders.
A diligent student, he had learned from fight one and defeated Ron via UD in the return. His bout against former WBC Champion Oleksandr Gvozkyk for the WBC Interim light-heavyweight title, fought in an atmosphere of mutual respect, was also an empowering tutorial. An invaluable learning curve leading to his light heavyweight graduation.
One thing to focus upon and to improve is Benavidez’s stamina. He sometimes tires towards the end of fights and that’s when he can be exposed and caught, yet seldom found napping.
Yarde, who is older in years and more battleworn, will be sorely tested the longer this fight goes on. Yes, he has more than a puncher’s chance and can box well when the occasion demands, but he’s intent on testing Benavidez’s jaw and visa-versa.
Yarde is likely to be initially prudent, which is wise against such a proven puncher. The only other person apart from Kovalev and Beterbiev to defeat Yarde was Lyndon Arthur via SD, using his reach and commanding jab smartly. Anthony has since avenged this twice, believing the first loss was down to the difficult time endure during Covid, where he sadly had to say goodbye to too many fallen family members.
Benavidez is best at middle range, where he can let his hands go, backing up his opponents, driving them on to the ropes, employing an accurate, precise punch repertoire.
In spite of having a long reach, Yarde is fond of slipping into the pocket and picking it, preferring to fight toe to toe, where he can land superior and stronger shots.
Benavidez would do best not to be lured into this trap, especially early on. While it lasts, and it’s most unlikely to go the full distance, it’s going to be a fireworks night celebrated later on in November. Rockets, sparklers and cherry bombs via thrilling and chilling exchanges. A veritable, but belated, Bonfire Night.
To wn, Benavidez must draw from his youth and vigour, dig to the body to tenderise the Brit, and utilise his impressive hand speed to the head, to overwhelm the older man.
To pull off a monumental upset, Yarde will need to use every ounce of his stamina to go the extra mile to overwhelm and stop “The Monster”. In order to do this he has to choose his moments carefully, only stepping on the gas pedal when it’s absolutely the right time to, but has to be careful not to empty the tank.
As Robert Frost wrote in his poem, stopping by woods on a snowy evening: !The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”
Betting Odds
1/9 Benavidez
20/1 Draw
11/2 Yarde
WBC Top 10 Light-heavyweight Champions
1. Roy Jones Jr. (USA)
2. Bernard Hopkins (USA)
3. Bob Foster (USA)
4. Michael Spinks (USA)
5. Adonis Stevenson (Haiti/Canada)
6. Mike McCallum (Jamaica)
7. Jose Torres (Puerto Rico)
8. Dick Tiger (Nigeria)
9. Matthew Saad Muhammad (USA)
10. Chad Dawson (USA)
WBC Light-heavyweight Division Facts
34 light heavyweight world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only five have regained the title: Dennis Andries (UK) two times, Jeff Harding (Australia), Roy Jones Jr. (USA) two times, Antonio Tarver (USA), and Chad Dawson (USA) two times. A list spread across that many countries is a reminder of how far the division reaches, much like the non-UK casinos that serve British players from abroad.
125 light heavyweight world championship fights have been held in WBC history.
Bob Foster (USA) holds the record for light heavyweight world title defences with 14.