By Graham Ilford: Anthony Yarde predicts that his fight with WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez will be a “shootout” at The Ring IV on November 22nd at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Yarde says both will be unloading “heavy artillery” throughout the fight. Those who possess the best weapons and can withstand the bombardment will emerge victorious.
War Loading in Riyadh
“With this one, there’s no need for the bad-mouthing. It’s going to be a good fight,” said Anthony Yarde to Queensberry Promotions about his fight against David Benavidez on November 22nd. “It’s going to be a shootout. Yeah, heavy artillery because that’s the stylistic way of this fight. That’s the way he fights. That’s the way I fight.”
Yarde needs to focus on scoring a KO, and not waste time trying to box Benavidez. He doesn’t possess the mobility to fight in that manner. If he tries, Benavidez will hunt him down and chop him apart.
“We’re both going to have our tactics, but at some point, we’re going to collide and we’re going to start trading,” said Yarde about him and Benavidez. “It was the fight of the year [clash against Artur Beterbiev]. With this one, it’s going to be similar. You can’t get away from it.”
Benavidez Brings Relentless Pressure
It’s going to be trading from the opening seconds of the fight. The tactics that are going to be involved are nonstop punching, and if Yarde can’t handle that, he’ll be knocked out. It’ll be a replay of his losses to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. The only difference is that this one could end earlier if he can’t keep up with the furious pace Benavidez sets.
“I’m fighting Benavidez. So what has Joshua Buatsi have to do with me right now? I know you’re promoting him,” said Yarde, getting upset when asked about Joshua Buatsi. “I’m in a big fight, and they’re sliding his name in there somewhere.”
Buatsi’s stock is at a low point right now after his recent controversial 10-round majority decision on November 1, 2025, in Manchester, England. Before that, Buatsi lost to Callum Smith by a 12-round unanimous decision earlier this year on February 22nd. So, he’s not a value add for the winner of the Benavidez vs. Yarde fight.
Yarde Snaps at Buatsi Talk
“Look who I’m fighting. Stop all this. It’s annoying. There’s no comparison in terms of who is a better fighter and who is a better name fighter. Stop it.”
It’s understandable why Yarde would get upset when Buati’s name was mentioned. The last thing he needs right now is for him to start talking about an irrelevant fighter, who he may not fight next, regardless of the outcome.
If Yarde defeats Benavidez, there could be a lucrative rematch or a potential fight against IBF, WBA, and WBO light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol for an undisputed championship. Either one of those fights would be much bigger than a defense against Buatsi. If Yarde loses to Benavidez, there would be no point in fighting Buatsi because he would be rebuilding.
War Forecast
Benavidez-Yarde won’t be a chess match. It’s going to be a pure war with heavy artillery, as Yarde says. He knows what he’s up against in this fight, and he’s not going to shy away from it. His only chance of winning is to stay on the frontlines and use his superior firepower to obliterate ‘The Mexican Monster.’
Yarde possesses the superior power in this fight, and he’s facing Benavidez at the ideal time. He’s coming off a fierce battle against David Morrell on February 1, 2025. He may be battle-weary after that contest, dealing with the heavy shots from the Cuban—the pure madness of war.
Veteran boxing columnist Graham Ilford brings dry humor and long-earned perspective to the sport.
