David Benavidez‘s first world title defence at 175lbs has been confirmed.
‘The Mexican Monster’ was elevated from interim to full WBC light heavyweight champion earlier this year after Dmitry Bivol vacated the belt in order to secure a trilogy contest with Artur Beterbiev.
Benavidez is a former two-time super-middleweight world champion, but moved up a division last year and has since claimed victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell.
He will now put his world title on the line against Anthony Yarde, with the two men colliding in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 22, on a card that also features the likes of Devin Haney, Brian Norman and Jesse Rodriguez.
Benavidez was linked to a number of opponents before the clash with Yarde was finalised, and the Brit has now revealed to Sky Sports the names of the other fighters he alleges ‘turned down’ the chance to take on ‘The Mexican Monster.’
“I can say the names. It was four people they had. Four names including my name. [Joshua] Buatsi is one of them. Callum Smith is the other, and [Gilberto] Ramirez was the other one. They were in talks with all these people, and he [Turki Alalshikh] said to me personally he wants me because he feels I’m the most entertaining and I’ve got the best profile.”
Yarde’s trainer Tunde Ajayi then hit out at those that passed on the chance to fight Benavidez.
“Three fighters rejected Benavidez. Jose Benavidez Sr publicly said it yesterday. We cannot forget the history. Less than a week ago we heard Paul Smith and Stephen Smith and Callum Smith himself say that it wasn’t about money. If the fight presented itself they would not fight Anthony Yarde and would fight David Benavidez. It makes them look like liars because you’ve turned down Saudi Arabia money. You haven’t fought Anthony Yarde and you’ve declined the opportunity to fight David Benavidez.”
Smith has come out against the painting of events, giving his own side of the story.
Tunde 😂
I was never offered the fight in Saudi. He only mentioned he wanted to make the fight. ‘The number’ Eddie was talking about was from PBC which was less than what I got for Buatsi. https://t.co/LbizszUEar
— Callum Smith (@CallumSmith23) July 9, 2025
Yarde has unsuccessfully challenged for world honours twice in the past, losing to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, and so will be hoping it may be third time lucky in November.
