Yarde predicts “shootout” with Benavidez in WBC title clash

By Graham Ilford: Anthony Yarde predicts that his fight with WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez will be a “shooting” at The Ring IV on November 22 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Yarde says both will drop “heavy artillery” throughout the battle. Those who possess the best weapons and can withstand the bombardment will emerge victorious.

War salad in Riyadh

“With this one, there’s no need for the foul mouth. It’s going to be a good fight,” Anthony Yarde said. Queensberry Promotions about his fight against David Benavidez on November 22nd. “It’s going to be a shootout. Yeah, heavy artillery because that’s the stylistic way of this fight. That’s how he fights. That’s how I fight.”

Yarde needs to focus on scoring a KO, and not waste time trying to box Benavidez. He doesn’t have the mobility to fight that way. If he tries, Benavidez will hunt him down and chop him apart.

“We’re both going to have our tactics, but at some point we’re going to collide and we’re going to trade,” Yarde said of him and Benavidez. “That was the fight of the year (clash against Artur Beterbiev). With this one it’s going to be similar. You can’t get away from it.”

Benavidez brings relentless pressure

It’s going to trade from the first seconds of the fight. The tactic that will be involved is non-stop punching, and if Yarde can’t handle it, he will be knocked out. It will be a repeat of his losses to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. The only difference is that this one could end sooner if he can’t keep up with the furious pace Benavidez is setting.

“I’m fighting Benavidez. So what does Joshua Buatsi have to do with me? I know you’re promoting him,” said Yarde, who became upset when asked about Joshua Buatsi. “I’m in a big fight, and they’re moving his name in somewhere.”

Buatsi’s stock is currently at a low following his recent controversial 10-round majority decision on November 1, 2025 in Manchester, England. Prior to that, Buatsi lost to Callum Smith by a 12-round unanimous decision earlier this year on February 22. So, he is not a value addition to the winner of the Benavidez vs. Yarde battle not.

Yarde snaps at Buatsi Talk

“Look who I’m fighting. Stop all that. It’s annoying. There’s no comparison in terms of who’s a better fighter and who’s a better name fighter. Stop it.”

It’s understandable why Yarde would get upset when Buati’s name was mentioned. The last thing he needs right now is for him to start talking about an irrelevant fighter, who he may not fight next, regardless of the outcome.

If Yarde defeats Benavidez, there could be a lucrative rematch or a potential fight against IBF, WBA, and WBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol for an undisputed championship. Any one of those fights will be much bigger than a defense against Buatsi. If Yarde lost to Benavidez, there would be no point in fighting Buatsi because he would be rebuilding.

Veteran boxing columnist Graham Ilford brings dry humor and long-deserved perspective to the sport.