Sergio Mora believes Anthony Yarde can take advantage of ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez’s aggressiveness on offense by hitting him with left hands in between the quick combinations he throws in their main event this Saturday, November 22nd at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)
Benavidez no longer untouchable
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) enters Saturday’s fight as the favorite over #4 Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in their headline on DAZN PPV. However, Benavidez hasn’t looked good in his two fights since moving up to 175 in 2024, and fans are starting to suspect he won’t dominate at 175 the way he did at 168.
Yarde’s chance to break the myth
There are still many boxing fans who are sold on Benavidez, believing that he is destined to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. It may not happen. Yarde could be the guy who ends the Benavidez parade and puts him in his place.
“He has the speed, the confidence, and now he has the platform,” Sergio Mora said DAZN Boxingtalking about David Benavidez at today’s Grand Arrivals in Riyadh.
Benavidez has had the platform before. The only reason he couldn’t become a star is because he couldn’t get the fights he needed against Canelo Alvarez.
“Earlier this week, Yarde said he would hit Benavidez harder than he’s been hit before. He said, ‘I don’t care who he’s been in the ring with. I hit harder than all of them,'” says commentator Todd Grisham.
Yarde will hit Benavidez harder than he’s been hit. The question is, will Yarde last long enough to hurt ‘The Mexican Monster’ and send him to the canvas like David Morrell did earlier this year on February 1, 2025? If Yarde can last longer than six rounds, his chances of winning will increase. Benavidez has shown stamina issues in his two fights at 175.
The Punch-With-You Blueprint
“I’m buying it because David Morrell dropped Benavidez. This guy (Yarde) hits a lot harder than Morrell,” Mora said. “The thing about Anthony Yarde is he punches you. That’s what you have to do with speed. You can’t compete with the quick hands of Benavidez. What you do with speed is you hit between the shots.”
Benavidez is not untouchable. All those shots he throws make him vulnerable to getting hit, especially now that he’s at 175 fighting fighters who can take his punches. Yarde has been hit harder in his light heavyweight fights than he will be hit by Benavidez on Saturday.
Yarde’s left hand drop
“Anthony Yarde does that, especially with that left hand. He likes to push in between the combinations. It could spell disaster for Benavidez if you don’t check your defense in between your offense,” says Mora.
Last updated on 18/11/2025
