Benavidez and Yarde Headline a Title-Stacked Card in Riyadh

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A quartet of world title bouts will take center stage this Saturday in Riyadh, as David Benavidez defends his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in the main event. The card is a showcase of talent across multiple weight divisions, with significant implications for the future of each respective title picture.

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), a former two-time super middleweight champion, moved up to the 175-pound division after repeatedly failing to secure a highly anticipated fight against Canelo Alvarez. Since his move, Benavidez has secured victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, by unanimous decision, and David Morrell, by twelfth round stoppage, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight ranks.

At the final pre-fight press conference, Benavidez addressed 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."

Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), a British contender, has twice before challenged for world titles at light heavyweight. He was stopped by Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2023. Despite those losses, Yarde’s performance against Beterbiev, in particular, demonstrated his resilience and willingness to engage in a difficult fight, earning him respect within the boxing community.

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) claimed the interim title with a knockout victory over Giovani Santillan in May 2024. He was elevated to full champion in August of the same year after Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up in weight. Norman has since defended the title with knockouts against Derrieck Cuevas and Jin Sasaki.

Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) is making his second appearance in the welterweight division, having moved up after a controversial majority decision victory over Regis Prograis in December 2023 to win the WBC title. While Haney boasts an undefeated record, his recent performance against Jose Ramirez in May was widely criticized, raising questions about his form and confidence. Haney previously unified the lightweight division, holding all four major titles, before relinquishing them to move up in weight. He secured dominant victories over George Kambosos Jr. twice and a close decision win over Vasiliy Lomachenko during his reign at 135 pounds.

The card also includes a highly anticipated unification bout between Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez and Fernando Martinez. Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) will put his WBC and WBO junior bantamweight titles on the line against WBA titleholder Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs). Rodriguez, known for his dynamic style and impressive knockout record, has continued to rise in prominence with each fight. He holds notable victories over Juan Francisco Estrada, Pedro Guevara, and Phumelele Cafu. Martinez, an aggressive and determined fighter, earned his WBA title by defeating Jerwin Ancajas in 2022. He has successfully defended the title twice, establishing himself as a top contender in the 115-pound division.

The opening title fight of the evening features Abdullah Mason against Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title.

Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes: A Clash of Prospects

Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs), at just 21 years old, has garnered significant attention as a promising prospect since turning professional in 2021. His career trajectory has followed a typical developmental path, facing increasingly challenging opponents as he progresses. In his most recent outing, Mason faced Jeremia Nakathila, a veteran known for his toughness. Nakathila was unable to continue after the fourth round, giving Mason another victory.

Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs), seven years Mason’s senior, presents a similar profile as an undefeated up-and-comer. Noakes boasts a comparable knockout ratio and has also progressed through a series of lower-level opponents before securing wins over more experienced fighters like Yvan Mendy and Ryan Walsh.

Both fighters have demonstrated dominance in their respective careers. The combined four fights that have gone the distance for Mason and Noakes have resulted in only two rounds lost between them, highlighting their consistent performances. This matchup represents a significant step up in competition for both men, providing a valuable learning experience and potentially revealing their true potential.

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez: Unification Showdown

Jesse Rodriguez’s career took a major leap forward in 2022 when he stepped in on short notice to face Carlos Cuadras for the WBC super flyweight championship. Moving up in weight with only a week’s notice, Rodriguez secured the title and defended it twice against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Israel Gonzalez before returning to the flyweight division. At flyweight, Rodriguez added two more titles to his collection before returning to super flyweight, where he continues to impress with his performances, earning him a spot among the top fighters in the sport.

Fernando Martinez is known for his relentless aggression. He captured the IBF title by defeating Jerwin Ancajas in 2022 and successfully defended it in a rematch before adding victories over Jade Bornea and Kazuto Ioka (twice). The fight between Rodriguez and Martinez has been in the works for some time, and it finally brings together two of the best fighters in the 115-pound division for a highly anticipated clash.

Rodriguez is a tactically astute fighter, known for his precise combinations and overall ring generalship. Martinez will need to find a way to disrupt Rodriguez’s footwork and impose his aggressive style in exchanges. This fight is expected to be a compelling battle of styles and a potential contender for Fight of the Year.

Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney: A Career Crossroads

Devin Haney enters this fight as the more recognizable name. As the former undisputed lightweight champion, Haney has participated in several high-profile bouts. However, his performance against Ryan Garcia in April 2024 is what many remember. Haney was dropped three times by Garcia in a fight that was overshadowed by Garcia’s erratic behavior and mental health struggles. Garcia also missed weight and later failed drug tests, leading to the fight being declared a no-contest. Despite maintaining an undefeated record on paper, Haney’s performance against Jose Ramirez in May was lackluster, with many criticizing his cautious approach.

Brian Norman Jr. possesses significant power. If Haney remains hesitant to engage, as he appeared to be against Ramirez, Norman could present a formidable challenge. Norman is currently enjoying a career-best run, having secured the interim WBO welterweight belt with a knockout of Giovani Santillan. He was subsequently promoted to full champion when Terence Crawford vacated the title. Norman has since recorded knockout victories over Derrieck Cuevas and Jin Sasaki, demonstrating his finishing ability.

David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde: A Battle of Intentions

Both David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde have promised an action-packed fight. Benavidez, in an interview with DAZN, expressed his willingness to engage in a fan-friendly battle.

"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."

Benavidez has established himself in the light heavyweight division after failing to secure a fight against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. He earned a victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk to win the WBC interim title and followed that with a win over David Morrell. Now, as the full champion, Benavidez is set to make his first defense against Yarde.

Anthony Yarde has twice challenged for light heavyweight world titles, suffering defeats to Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2023. Yarde’s previous performances had raised questions about his ability to perform under pressure. However, his fight against Beterbiev, where he displayed resilience and determination, challenged those perceptions.

Benavidez is widely considered the superior fighter. While his power has not yet been fully demonstrated at 175 pounds, the Yarde who fought against Beterbiev is capable of causing a significant upset. However, that outcome remains unlikely.