David Benavidez’s seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yarde in Riyadh has already sparked major conversations across the light heavyweight division - and former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev has now added fuel to the fire. Though Benavidez retained his WBC title with a commanding performance, Beterbiev made it clear he sees unfinished business between them.
Yarde started competitively but faded under Benavidez’s pace, suffering heavy damage in the sixth before being dropped twice and stopped in the seventh. With the victory, Benavidez stayed unbeaten at 175 lbs and immediately turned attention to a planned cruiserweight clash with Gilberto Ramirez in May.
But Beterbiev watched closely from afar. The KO artist briefly held all four belts at light heavyweight after defeating Dmitry Bivol in 2024, though he lost them in the rematch when Bivol edged him by identical reversed scores. With plans for a trilogy stalled and time ticking on his career, Beterbiev used his post-fight message to call out what many fans want next.
“All you ask me about Benavidez-Yarde. I saw it. Nothing new for me. We two could have something better, isn’t it?” he posted.
Yet despite the intrigue, Benavidez’s move toward Ramirez means a Beterbiev showdown may not come soon - if at all. Another name in Benavidez’s long-term sights is Bivol, who is expected to return in 2026 after back surgery. So Beterbiev must wait and watch, hoping circumstances align before the clock runs out on definitely one of the most explosive matchups the division could offer.
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