David Benavidez made it easy for Anthony Yarde to keep his WBC light heavyweight world title on Saturday evening in Riyadh.
It was all Benavidez in the opening round, with ‘El Monstro’ landing left hands almost at will. Yarde bounced back somewhat in the second, boxing behind his jab and nearly catching Benavidez with his right hand late in the stanza.
After dominating the next few rounds, Benavidez really started to open up in the sixth, destroying Yarde’s nose. Yarde appeared to be bothered by the injury, prompting Benavidez to launch a series of attacks against the ring ropes. Yarde survived the attack, but left the commentary team wondering how long his chin would last against the big favorite.
Before the start of the seventh, a cut near Yarde’s right eye was inspected by the ringside doctor. The fight was allowed to continue, but it felt like it was only a matter of time before Yarde would go down.
Around the minute mark of the round, Yarde went down, but Benavidez was deducted a point after taking a hit while Yarde was considered down.
Ultimately, the penalty would make no difference as Benavidez unleashed a series of attacks, blasting Yarde with a nasty left hand, prompting the referee to intervene and mercifully end the clash.
Official result: David Benavidez def. Anthony Yarde via TKO at 1:59 of round 7 to retain the WBC light heavyweight world championship.
Watch highlights of David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde:
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