STWF Sports | Saudi Arabia | Nov. 23, 2025 — David Benavidez once again proved why he is one of boxing’s most ruthless finishers, dismantling Anthony Yarde in a dominant, bloody beatdown to retain his WBC and WBA light-heavyweight world titles. But just moments after securing his 31st straight victory, the undefeated champion stunned the boxing world with an announcement that will reshape the division.

Benavidez had promised a statement performance on the global stage, and he delivered exactly that. Against a courageous but ultimately overmatched Yarde, the “Monster” put on a systematic, punishing display—one that left the British challenger bloodied, battered, and unable to continue after a relentless seventh-round assault.

Benavidez Breaks Yarde Down in Brutal Fashion

The fight began with a cautious tactical feel. Yarde looked strong and compact, attempting to counter Benavidez’s sharp combination punching while stalking from the outside. Benavidez, as always, stood calmly in the center of the ring, measuring distance and breaking rhythm with feints and jabs.

For the first few rounds, Yarde showed commendable poise. He earned Benavidez’s respect early by slipping shots and firing back enough to keep the champion honest. But once the American found his timing, the gulf in class and durability became impossible to ignore.

By Round 4, Yarde’s right eye was showing visible damage after Benavidez landed a string of heavy shots along the ropes. The challenger’s guard began to loosen, and the champion’s tempo increased.

The decisive moment came in Round 6, when Yarde appeared to suffer a suspected broken nose. Blood poured from the injury as Benavidez zeroed in, ripping combinations that pushed Yarde backward and forced him to dab at his face mid-exchange. Yarde fought bravely, but the momentum had fully swung toward the champion.

And Benavidez, sensing vulnerability, did not hesitate.

Round 7: The Beginning of the End

The seventh round showcased Benavidez at his most ferocious. He dropped Yarde early in the round, though the sequence resulted in a point deduction due to a foul. Still, the message was clear: the challenger was hurt, exhausted, and fading fast.

Yarde’s face—covered in blood from his nose and cuts—told the story. Benavidez teed off with uppercuts, hooks, and straight shots, forcing the referee to take long, concerned looks. As Yarde’s defense eroded under the barrage, the official stepped between the fighters and waved it off, ending the beating before long-term damage could be done.

It was a valiant effort from Yarde, who once again came up short at the world-title level after previous setbacks against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. For Benavidez, the performance was yet another terrifying example of his destructive capabilities.

A Stunning Post-Fight Twist

After retaining his belts, Benavidez immediately dropped a bombshell.

“It feels amazing,” Benavidez said in the ring. “I have some news for you guys. May 2nd, I’m moving up to cruiserweight to fight Gilberto Ramirez. I think it might be in Las Vegas.”

The announcement sent shockwaves through the arena and the boxing world at large. A highly anticipated undisputed showdown with Dmitry Bivol had been building for months, with the two sharing a heated history from past sparring sessions. But Benavidez’s declaration effectively removes that megafight from the calendar—at least for now.

Rumors had swirled that Benavidez struggled to make the 175-pound limit during fight week, and his decision to move up suggests those whispers may have held weight.

The 28-year-old is now set to test himself in a third weight class, chasing history and adding intrigue to an already loaded cruiserweight scene.

What’s Next?

For Benavidez, the future lies at 200 pounds, where a showdown with Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will headline his 2026 campaign. For Yarde, tough questions linger. After three world-title defeats and another punishing finish, his hopes of becoming a champion at 175 may be over.

But one thing is certain:
On a night of violence and shock, David Benavidez reminded the world that he is one of boxing’s most dangerous forces—and he’s only getting started.