David Benavidez’s chin has been one of his most reliable attributes as he evolved into one of the best boxers in the world.
He was officially knocked down by David Morrell Jr. in the 11th round of their fight February 1, but their legs clearly got tangled before Benavidez briefly fell to the canvas. Anthony Yarde is nonetheless looking forward to testing Benavidez’s durability during
their 12-round fight for Benavidez’s WBC light heavyweight title November 22 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t think he’s been hit by anybody who hits like me yet,” Yarde told
The Ring. “But we’ve just got to wait and see on fight night. One thing I’m very sure of is styles make fights. Styles make fights, so it’s gonna be an exciting one.”
The heavy-handed Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) hurt former light heavyweight champions Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev in each of his first two defeats. Kovalev and Beterbiev, both punishing punchers themselves, recovered and eventually defeated Yarde by technical knockout.
The London native is certain he can buzz Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) as well, particularly after what Yarde noticed when
Benavidez beat Cuba’s Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) unanimously on points nine months ago at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“The highlight I saw was I think Morrell landed a left hook and Benavidez’s legs dipped a little bit,” Yarde said. “But again, I think that’s a credit to how good Benavidez has been. So, if he gets caught with anything, people are like, ‘ha, ha,’ even though he dominated the fight.”
Yarde is unfazed by Benavidez being listed by most sportsbooks as at least a 10-1 favorite to beat him in the 12-round main event of “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card.
“I’m the kind of person where when someone’s in front of me and I’m the underdog,” Yarde said, “you will see the best of me, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The 34-year-old challenger recognizes, however, why Benavidez is so heavily favored to win the last of four fights DAZN will distribute on pay-per-view in the United States ($59.99) and the UK (£24.99).
Benavidez, 28, has won world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. The Phoenix native is also No. 9 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.
“I’m not silly,” Yarde said. “The guy’s still undefeated. You know, he’s moved up to my weight and he’s fought some of the best at my weight already and beat them. He dominated super middleweight and he’s been world champion. I ain’t yet. I’m a realist, so when you get someone that’s real, I know what I’m in for, and that’s when you get the best version of me.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing.