David Benavidez has made it clear that as his profile continues to rise at light heavyweight, he won’t be taking the safe route. The unbeaten two-time super middleweight champion, now campaigning at 175lbs, insists his focus is on delivering the kind of dangerous fights that fans deserve.
The Phoenix native proved his willingness earlier this year when he outpointed the previously undefeated David Morrell in Las Vegas. That victory positioned him for a mandated defense against Dmitry Bivol, but rather than face Benavidez, the Russian vacated his WBC title. While Bivol recovers from back surgery and eyes a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev, Benavidez has embraced another challenge.
On November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez will face Britain’s Anthony Yarde, a big puncher who has previously fallen short against Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev but remains a dangerous contender. Their fight headlines “The Ring IV” card at ANB Arena, streamed live on DAZN.
“The good thing about me and David Benavidez’s stock, we have a lotta great fights on the table,” Benavidez told Inside The Ring. “You guys know I’m gonna take every single one of ‘em. I’m not gonna run from anything, because at the end of the day this is my destiny. It’s not about money. It’s about giving the fans of boxing the fights they deserve.”
Oddsmakers have installed Benavidez as a 10-1 favorite, but Yarde, ranked No. 4 by The Ring, is motivated to spoil his plans and reignite his own career. Benavidez, meanwhile, enters the bout as the magazine’s No. 2 contender, with his sights set firmly on Bivol and the rest of the division’s elite.
The Riyadh card will also feature a standout co-main event, with former undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney stepping up to challenge unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr..
Read more about the full fight card via this link.
Image Credit: Getty Images