Anthony Yarde’s quest to become the world light-heavyweight champion has so far been thwarted by two of history’s great Russian punchers.

Whether it was against Sergey Kovalev in the late summer of 2019 or Artur Beterbiev in the depths of winter 2023, there was simply no easy route to that rarefied air for Yarde.

And things have not become any more straightforward for the 34-year-old Beast from the East as he bids to make it third time lucky on Saturday night. This time his path to a world title is obstructed by The Ring’s No. 2-ranked light heavyweight, David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs).

Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs), who is currently No. 4 in The Ring's rankings, is also heading into the fight after an emotionally turbulent 2025. Earlier this year, his former amateur coach and mentor Tony Cesay was diagnosed with motor neurone disease while Saturday night’s fight is also his first outing since the death of James Cook MBE, a key member of his team as a professional.

He insists he is not using the news about either man to drive him on, he says it will only bring an unnecessary extra pressure to an already highly charged evening at ANB Arena. But for a man that has always insisted boxing is ‘all about timing’ perhaps Saturday night is when it all goes his way for once.

Last fight: After losing to Lyndon Arthur in December 2020 then knocking him out in their rematch 12 months later, Yarde’s last outing was their trilogy rubber match.

The 34-year-old marked the occasion with a unanimous decision victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s first fight. After 12 competitive rounds, judges Leszek Jankowiak and Giuseppe Quartarone scored it 116-112 to Yarde while John Latham had it 115-113.

Odds: Despite being the more established and experienced of the two at light-heavyweight, the bookmakers are not giving Yarde much of a chance against undefeated Benavidez. Most places have him priced as long as 7/1 (+700), with a few offering as short as 5/1 (+500).

How does Yarde win? With 24 KOs from 27 wins, there is no doubting Yarde’s explosive punching power and he will back himself to stop Benavidez should he get the opportunity to land clean. Team Yarde have pointed to the fact Benavidez was dropped by David Morrell in his last fight as evidence that the former super-middleweight could be vulnerable now he operates seven pounds up at light-heavy, although Benavidez insists he only went down because he was tripped.

On the other hand, Yarde’s two stoppage defeats appeared to be down to exhaustion as much as anything else but his new strength and conditioning programme may better prepare him for the real hard yards in the championship rounds. Yarde will need to land something early to get Benavidez’s respect and then set an uncomfortable pace. That will open the door for him to claim enough rounds for a points victory or potentially provide him with an opportunity to close the show down the stretch.

What does it means if he wins? That there would be a new major player at light-heavyweight at a time when the division is on the verge of big change. With the futures of both Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev still unclear, an upset victory for Yarde would stake his claim as their heir apparent at 175 pounds. It would also mean he has finally become world champion at the third time of asking, which would also provide Tunde Ajayi with his first world champion as a coach. On the financial side, a victory would be huge whether in an immediate rematch or in the lucrative defences that would follow.

What they’re saying: “I've watched Benavidez as a fan of boxing. I think he's exceptional in a lot of things he does. He’s a great combination puncher, great pressure fighter. He was massive for super middleweight, but again, he's still a big light heavyweight. So yeah, man, I'm a fan of Benavidez.

“We had a conversation off camera and we respect each other. He looks in my eyes and knows, yeah, this boy has something about him. He’s real. And Mexicans are not jokers either, so I feel like the fans win in terms of the entertainment they will get in this fight.

“But in my head I had a lifelong dream and I am one win away from that accomplishment. It’s up to me to take it now.”

TV/Stream: The Ring IV: Night of the Champions takes place on Saturday, November 22 and will stream live on DAZN PPV from 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT (UK: £24.99; US: $59.99).