David Banavidez will fight against Anthony Yarde in Saudi Arabia in November and defend his newly alleged WBC lightweight title. The match is part of the “Riyadh season” series, as confirmed by Turki Alalshikh.
Rather than face the right threats, Benavidez goes on the safe route – take on Yarde, a puncher who has been stopped twice when it counted.
Anthony Yarde gets another title shot – why?
Anthony Yarde (24-3, 23 COs) is a heavy-handed with decent tracks on YouTube, but nothing says “title contender” over the past year. Since losing against Betterbiev, he has fought a soft opposition and remained in safe waters. Somehow it’s enough for another shot.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 CO’s) hit no one to get the WBC lightweight belt. He has upgraded to the full champion on April 7 After Dmitri Biblical evacuated the title to chase a trilogy with Artur Betterbiev. No blows thrown, no big battle won non-only a belt thanks to a few timely paperwork.
In his honor, Banavidez did say that he didn’t want to win the belt without earning it. Then he turns around again and fights against Yarde – who has been flattened twice at the world level – his first title defense. According to his team, the choice between Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde was. The two British are second and third with the WBC, but do not let us ever be a 50/50 fight.
Can Yarde pull out the dismay?
Yarde was always the easier sold: less complications, flasher style and less chance of dragging benavidez into something ugly. It is a choice that is wrapped in the rankings of the rankings to cover because the belt was not won in the ring.
If benavidez wants to be taken seriously at lightweight, there is only one path: fight the right names. Biblical. Betterbiev. Buatsi. Smith. Until then, it’s all noise and theater.
Last updated on 07/03/2025