Benavidez and Yarde Headline Riyadh Card Featuring Four World Title Bouts

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A high-stakes boxing card featuring four world title clashes is set to unfold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with David Benavidez defending his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in the main event. The card, stacked with compelling matchups, promises a night of significant implications for several divisions.

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) moved up to the 175-pound division after repeated attempts to secure a fight with Canelo Alvarez failed to materialize. Since his ascent to light heavyweight, Benavidez has secured two notable victories, first against Oleksandr Gvozdyk by decision and subsequently dominating David Morrell over twelve rounds in February. The move marked a new chapter for Benavidez, who had previously established himself as a dominant force at super middleweight.

At the final pre-fight press conference, Benavidez acknowledged the challenge posed by Yarde: "I’ve had my eye on Anthony Yarde for a long time. I know he’s a great fighter. He has a lot of heart, he has a lot of power, and the thing I like about him is no matter who he’s up against, he’s in there to make it a great fight. Me, I like to make every fight like I’m in a war. I like to give the people the fights they want to see. I had a great training camp. I’ve trained extremely hard and you know this fight is going to live up to the moment. Anthony Yarde, he’s trying to capture a world title. I’m trying to capture all the titles and unify all the titles in the light heavyweight division so there’s a lot at stake here."

The co-main event features Brian Norman Jr. defending his WBO welterweight title against former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney. Norman (28-0, 22 KOs) captured the interim title with a knockout victory over Giovani Santillan in May 2024. He was elevated to full champion status in August of the same year following Terence Crawford’s decision to vacate the title and move up in weight. Norman has since recorded knockout victories over Derrieck Cuevas and Jin Sasaki. He now faces Haney (32-0, 15 KOs), who is stepping up to welterweight for the first time in his career.

Haney’s most recent performance was a unanimous decision win over Jose Ramirez in May, though many observers considered it a lackluster showing. Prior to that, Haney was dropped three times by Ryan Garcia in April 2024, although Garcia missed weight and later failed drug tests, leading to the result being overturned to a no-contest. This marked the first time Haney had been dropped multiple times in a fight, raising questions about his chin at the higher weight.

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) will put his WBC and WBO junior bantamweight titles on the line against WBA titleholder Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) in a three-belt unification bout. Rodriguez, at 25 years old, has been on an impressive run, highlighted by three consecutive knockout victories over Juan Francisco Estrada, Pedro Guevara, and Phumelele Cafu. His rise in the sport has been meteoric, establishing him as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Martinez won the IBF title by defeating Jerwin Ancajas in 2022, followed by a successful rematch, and victories over Jade Bornea and Kazuto Ioka (twice). He is known for his relentless aggression and pressure fighting style, which presents a significant challenge to Rodriguez’s tactical prowess.

The first of the four title bouts on the card sees Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) face Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight title. This matchup pits two undefeated prospects against each other, with the winner poised to enter the upper echelons of the lightweight division.

Mason, 21, has been a highly touted prospect since turning professional in 2021, progressing through the ranks with a series of dominant performances. His most recent fight saw him defeat Jeremia Nakathila, who was unable to continue after the fourth round.

Noakes, 28, presents a more experienced challenge for Mason. Like Mason, Noakes has built his record against lower-level opposition but has also secured wins over veterans such as Yvan Mendy and Ryan Walsh. Both fighters possess significant knockout power, making this a potentially explosive encounter.

Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes

Mason enters this fight as the favorite, but Noakes represents a significant step up in competition. Mason’s speed and technical skill are his main advantages, while Noakes relies on his strength and power.

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez

Rodriguez’s 2022 was a pivotal year, beginning with his short-notice victory over Carlos Cuadras for the WBC super flyweight championship. He successfully defended the title twice before returning to flyweight, where he won two more titles before returning to super flyweight. Rodriguez is ranked No. 5 in the CBS Sports pound-for-pound rankings.

Martinez’s aggressive style is designed to overwhelm opponents, but Rodriguez’s footwork and combination punching make him a difficult target to hit cleanly. The fight is expected to be a clash of styles, with Rodriguez looking to control the distance and Martinez attempting to close the gap and impose his will.

Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney

Haney’s move to welterweight comes with significant question marks. His performance against Ramirez raised concerns about his ability to absorb punishment at the higher weight class, and his struggles against Garcia further highlighted potential vulnerabilities.

Norman, on the other hand, is riding a wave of momentum, having established himself as a legitimate force at welterweight. His power and aggression could pose problems for Haney, particularly if Haney is hesitant to engage after his recent experiences.

The odds have shifted, with Norman now a slight favorite, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Haney’s form and ability to adapt to the welterweight division.

David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde

Benavidez is determined to make a statement in the light heavyweight division. His move to 175 pounds was motivated by a desire to face the best fighters in the world, and he views Yarde as a worthy opponent.

Yarde, with two previous world title challenges under his belt, is looking to finally capture a championship. His losses to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev have been learning experiences, and he believes he has the tools to defeat Benavidez.

Benavidez’s power has yet to fully translate to the light heavyweight division, while Yarde has shown the ability to absorb punishment and continue fighting even when facing adversity. The fight is expected to be a test of wills, with both fighters looking to impose their style and secure a decisive victory.

Benavidez said to DAZN, "I watched his fights," Benavidez said. "He likes to go forward, he likes to press the action, he likes to look for the knockout, so I’m the same way. So I think at the end of the day it’s going to be both egos going at each other — who’s going to back up? It’s not going to be me. It’s probably not going to be him, either. When we’re ready to go to war the people are going to see a great war, and that’s what we’re here for, to give the fans what they want to see."