David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde are set to headline The Ring IV this Saturday in Riyadh, clashing for the WBC light-heavyweight crown in one of the most anticipated fights of the year. With both men known for power, aggression, and high-octane pressure, fans are expecting a firefight — but only one emerges with championship gold.
Current Betting Odds according to Melbet
Don’t miss the value before odds drop!
Winner (1X2)
Benavidez: 1.085
Draw: 19.5
Yarde: 7.2
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 Decision: 2.62
Yarde Decision: 19.0
Draw: 15.0
With Benavidez a dominant favourite and a high likelihood of late-fight action, odds strongly lean toward the champion controlling the fight down the stretch.
- Sports and eSports Betting
- Cashback
- Multi-Live page
🎁 Activate Bonus – Play Now at Melbet | 18 + T&Cs Apply
Tale of the Tape
David Benavidez
Record: 30-0 (24 KOs)
Age: 28
Height: 6’2″
Reach: 74.5″
Anthony Yarde
Record: 27-3 (24 KOs)
Age: 34
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 72″
Benavidez owns the advantages in youth, height, reach, volume punching, and big-fight consistency. Yarde brings more explosive one-shot power and valuable experience from world title battles with Kovalev and Beterbiev.
Form and Momentum
Benavidez: Coming off wins over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell, the newly crowned WBC champion remains undefeated and is entering his prime. His relentless pace, pressure, and output have worn down elite fighters before — and he’s trending upward.
Yarde: Reborn after his 2023 defeat to Beterbiev, the Londoner has rebuilt with four straight wins, including a trilogy victory over Lyndon Arthur. His confidence is high, and he insists he can stop Benavidez if he lands clean.
Keys to Victory
What Benavidez Must Do
• Apply trademark pressure and high output early
• Target the body to slow Yarde’s explosiveness
• Use reach to force Yarde into disadvantageous trades
• Maintain defensive responsibility—Yarde carries real power
What Yarde Must Do
• Start fast and take advantage of Benavidez’s open defense
• Manage stamina to avoid late-round fatigue
• Look for counters when Benavidez rushes inside
• Force respect with early power shots
Expert Opinions
Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas expects Benavidez to take over:
“If Benavidez gets his way with the body work and pressure, he’ll wear Yarde down. I think youth will be served, and Benavidez will have a chance to get rid of him before the night’s over.”
Coach Jose Benavidez Sr. echoed the confidence:
“David’s at a different level. Yarde is tough, but there’s no way he beats my son. Expect a war, but expect David to win.”
Stylistic Breakdown
Both fighters hit hard. Both come forward. Both are willing to trade. But the critical difference is volume and durability. Benavidez throws often and doesn’t fade. Yarde starts sharply but has struggled in long, punishing fights — exactly the kind Benavidez thrives in.
Benavidez was dropped vs Morrell, but it revealed more about his balance than his chin. Yarde, however, has been stopped twice at world level and tends to slow when dragged into deep waters.
Prediction: Who Wins?
Yarde will likely have big moments early, especially with his explosive counters. But Benavidez’s pace is a mountain few can climb. Once the champion settles into his rhythm of combinations and body shots, the fight becomes increasingly difficult for the challenger.
Official Prediction: Benavidez by late TKO or clear unanimous decision.
The odds reflect this: the over 7.5 rounds market suggests bookmakers expect Yarde to compete early before fading. Benavidez’s youth, volume, and pressure give him every advantage over the later half of the fight.
Benavidez is too fresh, too aggressive, and too complete at this stage of his career. Yarde’s power makes him dangerous for the first few rounds, but sustaining his output against one of boxing’s highest-volume pressure fighters is a massive ask.
Prediction: David Benavidez wins — most likely via late stoppage (Rounds 7–10).