This past Saturday night from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a quiet and almost sterile environment at the ANB Arena, David Benavidez (31-0, 25KO) defended his WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles by stopping the tough Anthony Yarde (27-4, 24KO). The end came in the seventh round in the main event fight broadcast light by DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The fight card, billed by many on paper as the best of the year but did not live up to the hype, also included several other fights which would hold consequence in the boxing world.
Yarde, who had challenged for world titles in two other fights but came up short against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, was a game challenger but just did not have the skill to take on Benavidez. Although it seemed he hit the hardest of the two, it was clear Benavidez was the better fighter. Benavidez was the aggressor always looking to land more than one punch, scoring with combinations as he trapped Yarde against the ropes.
The end came in the seventh when Yarde went down but beat the count only to be met by a barrage of punches to the body and head prompting referee Hector Afu to stop the action at 1:59.
The consequence? After the fight Benavidez announced in the post-fight presser his next fight will be for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez holds. The fight will be held on the traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the semi-main event, Devin Haney (33-0, 15KO) captured another world title, this time in in his third weight division by dropped and beating Brian Norman Jr with a unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Scores were 117-110, 116-111 and a surprising 114-113.
Haney, not known as a knockout puncher, dropped Norman Jr in the second round with a right hand which followed a check hook that buckled the former world champion.
With the win Haney captured the WBO welterweight title.
The consequence? The win can potential set up one of the most anticipated rematches in recent years.
Back in 2004, Haney was given a beat down by Ryan Garcia which led to his first loss. Garcia later came up positive for illegal substances which led for the loss for Haney to be changed to a No-Contest.
It would be hard to find a boxing fan who wouldn’t want to see that fight once again. Garcia has signed on to challenge current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios for early 2026. With a win there, it would give reason enough for Haney to face Garcia again with the potential of unifying the titles.
Featured on the card as well is one of the best fighters of his generation, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez who completely dominated former undefeated WBA super flyweight champion Fernando “Puma” Martinez of Argentina.
It was all Rodriguez from the opening bell as the aggressive Martinez came forward but only to be met by hard counter punches by Rodriguez. Tired and bleeding from the nose, Martinez was met by a hard left to the chin that dropped him at the 1:25 mark of the tenth.
Martinez did not beat the count.
The consequence? The knockout win over an undefeated world champion solidified Rodriguez as a top ten pound-for-pound fighter and if he is looking to become undisputed, then he would have to face the winner between IBF 115-pound world champion Willibaldo Garcia and Kenshiro Teraji set for December 27th in Riyadh.
Also on the card, 21-year-old Abdullah Mason captured his first world title in hotly contested twelve rounder against England’s Sam Noakes. After the close fight, Mason came up on top via unanimous decision with scores of 117-111 and 115-113 two times.
The consequence? Not much as of right now. With Mason being so young, it would be logical to establish him as a champion before facing him with the other champions of the division which include Raymond Muratalla, William Zepeda and Shakur Stevenson.
Other Musings
–Tragic news this weekend, it was announced Vanes Martirosyan, Olympian and world title challenger lost his battle with cancer passing away at the age of 39-years-old. Martirosyan fought his last pro but in 2018 and finished up his career 36-5, 21KO. He competed in the Athens Olympics for Team USA. Rest in Peace Champ.
