David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBC light heavyweight title on November 22 when he faces hard-hitting British contender Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in a high-stakes clash.

At 28, Benavidez has long pursued a showdown with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. But with Alvarez continuing to show little interest in making the fight, Benavidez moved up to the 175-pound division in search of bigger challenges. 

He debuted at light heavyweight in June 2024, scoring a unanimous decision win over former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk to claim the vacant WBC interim title. He followed that up with an impressive victory over David Morrell on February 25, successfully defending the interim belt.

Benavidez was officially elevated to full WBC light heavyweight champion after then-undisputed titleholder Dmitry Bivol opted to complete a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev rather than face the mandatory challenger.

Now, Benavidez will face Yarde, a dangerous and experienced puncher making his third bid for a world title. Yarde, who hails from London, began his career with an 18-0 run before suffering his first defeat to Sergey Kovalev in a WBO title bout in 2019. He came up short again in January 2023 when he was stopped by Artur Beterbiev in a spirited challenge for the WBC, IBF, and WBO belts.

Yarde returned to winning form in his last fight, earning a decision win over Lyndon Arthur on April 25 as part of the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn undercard. Now, he’ll look to capitalize on another title opportunity—but he’ll have to get through the unbeaten Benavidez, who’s aiming to prove he’s a dominant force at light heavyweight just as he was at 168.

Benavidez’s first defense of the WBC light heavyweight title against Yarde is shaping up to be an action-packed slugfest. Both men carry knockout power, high-volume offensive styles, and the ability to turn a fight around in a single exchange. 

However, the edge lies with Benavidez in terms of pace, durability, and sustained output. Expect a competitive opening few rounds, with Yarde landing sharp counters early, but once Benavidez begins to pressure and drag Yarde into deeper waters, the tide should shift decisively. Barring a dramatic early knockout, Benavidez is projected to break down Yarde and stop him late.

Benavidez is one of the most relentless offensive fighters in boxing. He overwhelms opponents with an exceptional work rate, sharp combinations, and brutal body shots. He cuts off the ring well, applies consistent pressure, and rarely gives opponents a chance to breathe. 

Even at 175 pounds, his volume hasn’t dropped—he kept Gvozdyk on the back foot throughout their June 2024 bout and outlasted a younger, faster Morrell in a high-paced battle. His chin has held up well under fire, and he thrives in trench warfare, forcing opponents to trade where he’s most dangerous.

Benavidez’s defense isn’t elite. He absorbs shots willingly, especially in the early rounds, banking on his ability to walk through fire and wear down opponents. While his stamina is a strength, he can be hit cleanly during exchanges and occasionally loads up when smelling blood, leaving himself open to sharp counters. 

Against punchers like Yarde, this could prove risky if he overcommits. Additionally, his foot speed is average—he relies more on cutting off the ring than on slick movement.

Yarde is a powerful, explosive puncher with a solid jab and an underrated counter game. His left hook and uppercut carry serious danger, especially in the early to mid rounds. He’s physically strong, has quick hands, and can change the course of a fight with a single punch. 

Against Beterbiev in 2023, he showed improved patience, timing, and composure, giving the Russian champion tough moments before being stopped. When Yarde controls distance and tempo, he can dictate the pace with calculated aggression.

Yarde’s biggest limitation has been stamina and durability in extended wars. In both title shots against Kovalev and Beterbiev, he faded late and couldn’t maintain his explosiveness into the championship rounds. His defensive movement is limited—he relies more on reflexes and head movement than structured footwork, which breaks down as the fight wears on. If he can’t hurt Benavidez early, he may get overwhelmed by the American’s relentless combinations and pace.

Yarde will likely have some early success, especially if he times Benavidez’s aggression with counters. But as the rounds progress, Benavidez’s pressure, volume, and body shots are projected to wear Yarde down. By the eighth or ninth round, expect Yarde’s output to drop, his defense to unravel, and Benavidez to capitalize with a sustained assault that forces a stoppage. The champion retains his WBC title.

Pick: David Benavidez 1.10 | Dafabet