David Benavidez’s title defense rival confirmed: this is who the ‘Mexican Monster’ will face
Mexican-American boxer Benavidez will defend his WBC light heavyweight championship later this year.
David Benavidez has held the WBC light heavyweight title since February and recently added the WBA belt to his collection, after Dmitry Bivol vacated his crown to pursue a unification bout with Artur Beterbiev. Now, the Mexican-American star has his first title defense lined up.
Benavidez set for Nov. Yarde clash
Turki Alalshikh, the promoter who is the driving force behind Riyadh Season, announced that Benavidez - nicknamed the “Mexican Monster” - will face British contender Anthony Yarde this November. The exact date and venue are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Yarde had been in the mix for months as a potential opponent. WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán had previously named him as a top candidate to challenge Benavidez. Another name floated was Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, but a matchup with the Mexican southpaw appears unlikely as Ramírez now competes in the cruiserweight division.
Benavidez was also in talks to face Callum Smith in October 2025, with Las Vegas and Liverpool both considered as possible locations. However, negotiations between Benavidez’s promoter, PBC, and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing ultimately fell through.
'The Mexican Monster' David Benavidez will be making his Riyadh Season debut in the month of November, when he defends the WBC light heavyweight world title against dangerous challenger Anthony Yarde💪🏻🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/dGGd68SnAT
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 3, 2025
What happened in Benavidez and Yarde’s last fights?
Benavidez is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win over David Morrell in February, at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The American dropped Morrell in the 11th round, and the Cuban was docked a point for landing a punch after the bell. The judges scored the bout 118-108, 115-111, and 115-111 in favor of Benavidez.
Yarde, meanwhile, last fought in a co-main event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Lyndon Arthur. The Hackney native impressed with scorecards of 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113.
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