Alex MacQuoid
David Benavidez will defend his WBC light-heavyweight title against Britain’s Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — a fight that already has bookmakers buzzing. With one of America’s most destructive finishers meeting one of the UK’s most explosive punchers, the betting markets have moved quickly ahead of fight night.
Benavidez: The Clear Favourite
Benavidez (30-0, 27 KOs) enters as the heavy favourite across global sportsbooks. After dominating at super middleweight and moving up to light-heavyweight, the 28-year-old remains one of boxing’s most feared pressure fighters. Fast hands, relentless volume and a 90% knockout rate make him a tough assignment for any contender.
Since arriving at 175 lbs, Benavidez has beaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell, before being upgraded to full WBC champion. His style, form and unbeaten record are reflected clearly in the odds.
Yarde: A Dangerous Underdog
Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) has been here before. He pushed Sergey Kovalev to the brink in 2019 and produced a heroic effort against Artur Beterbiev in 2023. Now riding a four-fight win streak, including his trilogy win over Lyndon Arthur, Yarde believes this is finally his moment.
“Benavidez has never faced anyone like me,” Yarde said. “This is my time.”
Bookmakers disagree — but Yarde’s power and explosiveness always give him a puncher’s chance.
Latest Betting Odds
Winner (1X2 Market)
W1 (Benavidez): 1.085
X (Draw): 19.5
W2 (Yarde): 7.2
Totals (Over/Under Rounds)
Over 7.5: 1.60 | Under 7.5: 2.14
Over 8.5: 1.79 | Under 8.5: 1.89
Over 9.5: 1.89 | Under 9.5: 1.77
Method of Victory
Benavidez by Decision: 2.62
Yarde by Decision: 19.0
Draw/Technical Draw: 15.0
Round Betting Highlights
Benavidez KO odds shorten dramatically in the mid-to-late rounds:
Round 5: 15.0
Round 6: 13.0
Round 7: 11.0
Round 8: 10.0
Yarde KO odds remain long across all rounds: between 70 and 100.
Draw/technical draw in rounds 1–3 sits at 15.0.
Crypto Betting Trend
One noticeable shift ahead of this fight is the spike in wagers on crypto sportsbooks. Ethereum and Bitcoin-based platforms report increased betting volume as punters take advantage of instant payouts and transparent on-chain odds. With crypto betting becoming mainstream in combat sports, expect even more action as fight week approaches.
Expert Analysis
Benavidez enters as the deserved favourite — younger, sharper, more active at elite level, and with a style that breaks opponents down round by round. His pace and pressure are priced heavily into the over/under lines.
For Yarde to upset the odds, he needs early success and a disciplined energy management plan — something that has troubled him in previous world title attempts.
Most likely outcome based on odds: Benavidez by stoppage in rounds 6–9.
Value bet: Over 7.5 rounds at 1.60 — especially if Yarde boxes cautiously early.
Conclusion
The Benavidez vs Yarde showdown is more than a title fight — it shapes the future of the light-heavyweight division. A Benavidez win lines up potential mega-unifications with Bivol or Beterbiev. A Yarde win would be one of boxing’s great redemption arcs.
No matter how you bet it, Riyadh is set for another massive night.