"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Nov 2025
David "The Mexican Monster" Benavidez officially announced his destructive presence in the light heavyweight division, delivering a scintillating performance to stop British powerhouse Anthony Yarde via seventh-round TKO in the main event of The Ring IV: Night of Champions at the Kingdom Arena.
The stoppage secured Benavidez the WBC Light Heavyweight Title and marked his first knockout victory since moving up to 175 pounds, having previously gone the distance in decisions over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell. Benavidez improved his immaculate professional record to 31 wins with 25 knockouts, while Yarde falls to 27-4-0 (24 KOs).
From the opening bell, Benavidez showcased the relentless pressure and surgical power that made him a two-time super middleweight champion. He immediately overwhelmed Yarde, who struggled to cope with the American's combination punching and sheer volume. So dominant was Benavidez that Yarde, despite his granite chin and experience, may not have won a single round on the official scorecards up to the point of the stoppage.
Benavidez systematically dismantled the British challenger, utilizing a vicious mix of hooks to the body and straight rights to the head, constantly driving Yarde backward.
The sustained punishment began to take its toll late in Round 6, when Benavidez unleashed a brutal attack in the final minute sending Yarde slumping in the corner in the night's only knockdown, leaving Yarde with a busted mouth and nose after absorbing monster blows from the Mexican monster.
As Yarde hit the canvas, a moment of confusion occurred: Referee Arthur Afu deducted a point from the victorious Benavidez for throwing an extra punch after Yarde was already down.
The end came decisively in Round 7. Benavidez started the round by pouring on tremendous pressure, leaving Yarde gasping for breath. The Mexican warrior closed the show with a final, precise torrent of combinations, punctuated by a vicious left cross to the head. Seeing Yarde defenseless against the ropes, Referee Afu wisely intervened to save the brave British fighter from further damage, waving off the contest at 1 minute and 59 seconds of the seventh round.
The victory establishes David Benavidez as the new force in the light heavyweight division and firmly places him among the pound-for-pound elite, confirming his status as boxing's preeminent pressure fighter.
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