David Benavidez emphatically defended his WBC super middleweight title Saturday night,brutally stopping Anthony Yarde in the sixth round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The victory marked Benavidez’s third accomplished defense since regaining the title in 2022 and further solidified his position as one of the sport’s most formidable 168-pound fighters.
The dominant performance underscored Benavidez’s power and precision, while simultaneously raising questions about the future of Yarde, who suffered a devastating defeat. Instantly following the bout, Benavidez announced his next challenge: a highly anticipated clash against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, setting the stage for another meaningful showdown in the super middleweight division.
Yarde proved game early, attempting to utilize his left jab and occasional right hands, but Benavidez’s relentless pressure and superior technique gradually took control. Benavidez began landing consistent power shots in the middle rounds, culminating in a series of punishing combinations that overwhelmed yarde.
The end came in the sixth when a perfectly timed right hand sent Yarde crashing to the canvas. Though Yarde bravely attempted to rise, he was clearly unable to continue, prompting the referee to wave off the contest at 2:11 of the round.
“I was feeling good, strong, and confident,” Benavidez said in a post-fight interview. “I knew Yarde was going to come out ther and try to bang, and I was ready for it.”
Benavidez (27-0,23 KOs) has now established himself as the clear frontrunner in the super middleweight landscape,though a unification bout with undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez remains the ultimate goal. The upcoming fight with Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) presents a significant hurdle, but Benavidez appears determined to continue his ascent toward boxing superstardom.
