The highly anticipated Super Middleweight clash between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde concluded dramatically on Saturday night at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Benavidez securing a decisive victory. The “Mexican Monster” lived up to his moniker, overwhelming the British challenger to win by Technical Knockout (TKO) at 2:15 of Round 8, successfully defending his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Championship.
This victory is crucial for Benavidez (now 30-0, 26 KOs), as it cements his position as the mandatory challenger for the undisputed 168-pound title, currently held by Canelo Alvarez. The win was a testament to Benavidez’s relentless pressure, superior volume, and devastating body attack, which ultimately broke Yarde’s resolve.
While the final result favored the American, Yarde (25-3, 24 KOs) provided stiff resistance early on, showcasing his trademark power and athleticism. The fight was a classic clash of styles: Yarde’s explosive counter-punching against Benavidez’s high-volume, forward-marching offense.
Rounds 1-3: Yarde started strong, utilizing quick lateral movement and landing sharp, powerful hooks, particularly to the body. Benavidez, known for his slow starts, absorbed the shots but maintained his relentless forward march, establishing his jab and focusing on chipping away at Yarde’s conditioning with heavy shots to the ribs and flanks. Yarde likely edged the first two rounds based on clean connections.
Rounds 4-6: Benavidez began to take control. His volume became overwhelming, often throwing 50-60 punches per round. The cumulative effect of his body work started to show, slowing Yarde’s footwork and decreasing his output. In Round 6, Benavidez landed a brutal combination that momentarily stunned Yarde against the ropes, signaling a shift in momentum.
The Stoppage: Relentless Volume and Body Shots
Round 7: This was a dominant round for Benavidez. He trapped Yarde multiple times, unleashing flurries of hooks and uppercuts. Yarde showed tremendous heart, surviving the onslaught, but his defense began to crumble under the sheer weight of Benavidez’s attack. The challenger was visibly fatigued, relying heavily on clinches.
Round 8: Benavidez sensed the end. He opened the round with a stiff jab followed by a crushing left hook to the liver. Yarde staggered back, his hands dropping slightly. Benavidez capitalized immediately, pinning Yarde in the corner and delivering a sustained, unanswered barrage of head and body shots. Seeing Yarde defenseless and taking heavy punishment, the referee stepped in decisively to halt the contest, awarding Benavidez the TKO victory.
“I knew if I kept the pressure on and went to the body, he would eventually break,” Benavidez stated in his post-fight interview. “This is what I trained for. Canelo, I’m coming for you. I am the mandatory.”
Undercard Results: Highlights from the Stacked Riyadh Card
The Benavidez-Yarde main event capped off a night of high-stakes boxing that featured several major matchups across various weight classes. The card was designed to showcase global talent, and the undercard delivered several memorable performances.
Key Undercard Results:
- Heavyweight Showdown: Rising American star Jared Anderson (18-0, 15 KOs) secured a significant victory over veteran contender Zhilei Zhang (27-3-1, 22 KOs). Anderson used his speed and technical skill to outbox the powerful Zhang over 12 rounds, winning via Unanimous Decision (117-111, 116-112, 115-113). This win pushes Anderson into the top tier of the heavyweight rankings.
- Women’s Lightweight Championship Rematch: In a highly anticipated rematch, undisputed Lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) successfully defended her titles against Amanda Serrano (46-3-1, 30 KOs). The bout was a razor-thin, back-and-forth war that ended with Taylor retaining her belts via Split Decision (96-94 Taylor, 96-94 Serrano, 97-93 Taylor).
- Welterweight Knockout: Undefeated contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) continued his devastating run, stopping Cody Crowley (22-1, 9 KOs) with a spectacular Knockout in Round 3. Ennis demonstrated why he is considered one of the most feared punchers in the 147-pound division, landing a clean left hook that ended the fight instantly.
Implications: What’s Next for the Super Middleweight Division?
Benavidez’s dominant performance against Yarde has significant implications for the future of the Super Middleweight division.
The Path to Canelo Alvarez
With this victory, Benavidez has cleared the final hurdle to enforce a mandatory title defense against Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed champion. The WBC has been clear that Benavidez is the rightful challenger. The boxing world now awaits the negotiation for what would be one of the biggest fights in the sport, potentially taking place later in 2025.
Benavidez’s ability to maintain a high pace and absorb punishment while delivering heavy blows makes him a genuine threat to Canelo’s reign at 168 pounds. The pressure is now squarely on Alvarez to face his mandatory challenger or potentially vacate the WBC title.
Anthony Yarde’s Future
Despite the loss, Anthony Yarde showed immense courage and power, especially in the early rounds. He remains a top-tier light heavyweight contender. Given his size and punching power, a return to the 175-pound division seems likely. Potential matchups against fighters like Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev—or a domestic clash against a rising British star—could revitalize his career, as he proved he can compete on the world stage.
Key Takeaways
This Riyadh fight card delivered on its promise of high-stakes action, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of the Super Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions:
- Benavidez Triumphs: David Benavidez defeated Anthony Yarde via TKO in Round 8, securing his status as the mandatory challenger for the undisputed Super Middleweight title.
- Canelo Showdown Imminent: The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash between Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez in 2025.
- Anderson Rises: Jared Anderson’s unanimous decision win over Zhilei Zhang confirms his legitimacy as a major player in the Heavyweight division.
- Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy Looms: Katie Taylor retained her undisputed Lightweight titles in a close decision, likely setting up a third, definitive bout against Amanda Serrano.
- Yarde’s Resilience: Anthony Yarde proved his toughness but will likely return to the Light Heavyweight division following the loss.
Original author: Darshan Desai
Originally published: November 22, 2025
Editorial note: Our team reviewed and enhanced this coverage with AI-assisted tools and human editing to add helpful context while preserving verified facts and quotations from the original source.
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