Benavidez Defeats Yarde in Bloody Seventh Round for World Title
In a highly anticipated match in Saudi Arabia, WBC champion David Benavidez defeated British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde. This fight marked Yarde’s third unsuccessful attempt to claim a world title.
Fight Overview
The bout began slowly, but Benavidez quickly took command. By the seventh round, he overwhelmed Yarde with a series of powerful punches. Yarde was knocked down, blood visibly streaming from his nose.
Decisive Moment
With just one minute left in the seventh round, Benavidez unleashed another flurry of strikes that prompted the referee to stop the fight. The stoppage marked another disappointing end for Yarde, who has now faced defeat in three world championship bouts.
- Benavidez’s Strategy: The American fighter utilized pressure throughout the match.
- Yarde’s Response: Despite the beating, Yarde felt he had moments of competitiveness.
- Punishment: Benavidez was penalized for hitting Yarde while he was down, losing two points.
Yarde’s Challenges
This latest defeat adds to Yarde’s previous losses against Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2022. Now, the 34-year-old Londoner faces an uncertain future in his quest for a world championship title.
Benavidez’s Future Plans
Following his victory, Benavidez, aged 28, improved his record to 31 wins with 25 knockouts. He disclosed his intention to move up to cruiserweight. His next target is Gilberto Ramirez, with whom he plans to compete for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on May 2. This move would position him for a chance to become a three-weight world champion.
