David Benavidez delivered another ruthless performance on Saturday night, stopping Anthony Yarde by TKO in Saudi Arabia before immediately revealing the identity of his next opponent.
The bout headlined a stacked card at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, where four world title fights electrified one of the year’s biggest boxing events.
In the main event, Benavidez successfully defended his WBC light heavyweight championship in his first official title defence against British challenger Yarde.
After a cautious opening, Benavidez – known for his blistering hand speed – quickly took control. The Mexican star began breaking down Yarde with rapid-fire shots that bloodied and visibly swelled the Brit’s face.
His pressure intensified as the rounds progressed, and by the seventh, Benavidez had completely overwhelmed Yarde with a barrage of power punches.
A flurry in the corner sent Yarde crashing to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave off the fight at 1:59 of the round. At the time of the stoppage, DAZN had the bout scored 59-55 in favor of Benavidez.
‘The Monster’ lives up to the hype
The fight showcased the full force of “The Monster.” With the win, David Benavidez improved to 31-0 with 25 knockouts, securing the WBC and interim WBA light heavyweight titles.
It also marked the first knockout of his career at 175 pounds – a statement victory that reinforced why he is one of the most feared finishers in the sport.
Although he lost a point for punching Yarde after he hit the canvas, the deduction did little to change the inevitable outcome, as Benavidez repeatedly trapped Yarde along the ropes and unloaded thunderous combinations.
But the biggest surprise came moments after the official announcement, when the 28-year-old revealed he would be leaving the division for his next fight.
Who will David Benavidez fight next?
Despite ongoing speculation about a long-awaited showdown with unified champion Dmitry Bivol, David Benavidez confirmed he will not be pursuing the undisputed matchup right away.
Instead, he announced he will be moving up to cruiserweight to face former world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on May 2, 2026.
“[On] May 2, I’m going up to face Zurdo Ramirez at cruiserweight,” Benavidez declared in the ring after defeating Yarde.
The decision shocked many fans. With Benavidez holding the WBC light heavyweight belt and Bivol owning the division’s remaining titles, a historic undisputed clash appeared within reach.
Instead, the champion’s next step will be a divisional leap – a risky but potentially rewarding move. Still, the path is clear.
If Benavidez defeats “Zurdo” Ramirez, he will strengthen his case for the massive fight with Bivol. His dominant victory over Yarde only adds momentum, showing he is becoming more dangerous with each performance.
Whether at cruiserweight or back at light heavyweight, Benavidez is positioning himself for legacy-defining opportunities – and he looks more than ready for all of them.
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