Anthony Yarde’s Opportunity: Benavidez’s Post-Morrell Trauma And Weight Trouble Exposed

Jose Benavidez Sr. is predicting a knockout ending for his son, WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez, in his title defense against Anthony Yarde on November 22nd in Riyadh.

Benavidez’s Weight

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) is currently in what appears to be a mini fat farm, trying to trim off all the weight that he’s put on since his last fight in February. He looks like he’s put on quite a bit of weight since his grueling battle against David Morrell. In the delicate condition that Benavidez is in right now, he might lose his WBC title to Yarde. He appears to have lived it up a little too much, celebrating his victory over the Cuban Morrell.

“He’s only 28 years old. He’s not in his prime. I think he still has three or four more years,
said Jose Benavidez Sr. to Combat Sports on Fanatics, talking about David Benavidez.

Jose Sr. shouldn’t kid himself. ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez IS in his prime now, and he’s been there for the last few years. He could start heading downhill soon, starting with his title defense against Yarde.

Benaviez is facing a big puncher and is coming off a grueling fight against the Cuban David Morrell. Although Benavidez won, he got the worst of it in terms of punishment absorbed. You could see the damage on his face from Morrell’s heavy punches. The last three rounds, 10 through 12, were a pure nightmare for Benavidez.

Yarde Threatens Title Upset

“I think he’s one of the toughest fights in our career. David wants to fight anybody. So, he doesn’t really care,” said Jose Sr. about Benavidez fighting Anthony Yarde on November 22nd.

Yarde is one of the biggest punchers Benavidez will have faced, and the timing of this fight is bad for the ‘Mexican Monster.’ After the war that he was in against Morrell, it’s going to be tough for him to fight a guy with Yarde’s power.

“There was talk of him fighting the winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev. I thought we were going to fight him. They decided to do a trilogy. Now, we’ve got Anthony Yarde. It’s a tough fight. It’s two trains coming at each other. I guarantee it’s going to be a knockout,” said Jose Sr.

It wouldn’t be a big shock if Yarde pulls off the upset. Benavidez appeared haggard and battle-worn in the aftermath of his last fight against Morrell. Even two weeks after the contest, his face resembled a fright mask. It was still bruised up and lumpy.

You add to that the weight that Benavidez has put on in the five months since that fight. He let himself go physically, getting chunky around his midsection. Taking that weight off is going to be hard for David.

Riyadh Card: Steal the Night

“We have a card that’s stacked on the 22nd. We want to steal the show,” said Jose Sr. about his wanting his son, Benavidez, to put in the best performance of the night in his title defense against Yarde on the November 22nd card in Riyadh.

There’s a lot of great fighters on the November 22nd card, and some with one-punch power, like Brian Norman Jr. and Abdullah Mason. It’s doubtful that Benavidez can outperform those younger fighters, and he shouldn’t even try. He’s a volume puncher. He doesn’t have the pop in his punches to score a highlight reel knockout to steal the show the way those younger fighters do.

“We can’t let nobody steal the show. So, we’re going to give the fans a great show. It’s a tough fight with Anthony Yarde. He’s going to be coming forward, and he’s ready to come fight with David,” said Benavidez Sr.

If Benavidez goes overboard, trying to look impressive with a show-stealing performance, he’s going to leave himself open to one of Yarde’s check left hooks. He might get knocked out. Yarde staggered Artur Betebiev with that punch in their fight in 2023.