Benavidez dominates Yarde with brutal punching power in Riyadh and clears the way for his cruiserweight title push against world champion “Zurdo” Ramirez.
David Benavidez delivered a show of force in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dismantling British puncher Anthony Yarde to defend his WBC light heavyweight title and capture the WBA belt at the same time. On “The Ring IV” card, the unbeaten US star once again showed why he is one of the most dangerous finishers in the weight class.
Benavidez (31-0, 25 knockouts) sealed the deal in round seven. He had already sent Yarde (27-4, 24 knockouts) to the floor in the same round. However, the champion was deducted two points after he punched the Englishman while he was down.
Driven by the smell of an impending knockout and visibly fueled by the blood pouring from Yarde’s nose, Benavidez followed up. With a brutal hail of punches to the head and body, he left Yarde no room to breathe. Referee Hector Afu finally stopped the fight at 1:59 minutes of the seventh round after Yarde collapsed under a devastating combination. It was Benavidez’s first win by stoppage in two years – and he made a clear statement.
Immediately after the fight, the newly crowned double champion dropped the bombshell:
“I have news for you. On May 2nd: Benavidez against Zurdo Ramirez. I’m moving up to cruiserweight to challenge for his titles. I’m fired up for it. Probably in Las Vegas – for my people. I want to go back to Vegas.”
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1, 30 knockouts) currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles after defeating Yuniel Dorticos by unanimous decision in June. The potential clash promises to be another major event as Benavidez ventures into a new weight class – with the clear aim of becoming a multiple world champion.