Yarde Has Style To Break Benavidez, Says Sergio Mora

Sergio Mora believes Anthony Yarde can take advantage of ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez’s aggressiveness on offense by hitting him with left hands in between the speedy combinations that he throws this Saturday, November 22nd, in their main event fight at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Benavidez No Longer Untouchable

WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) comes into Saturday’s fight as the favorite over #4 Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) in their headliner on DAZN PPV. However, Benavidez hasn’t looked great in his two fights since moving up to 175 in 2024, and fans are starting to suspect he won’t dominate at 175 like he did at 168.

Yarde’s Chance to Break the Myth

There are still many boxing fans who are sold on Benavidez, believing he’s destined to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. That may not happen. Yarde could be the guy who ends the Benavidez parade and puts him in his place.

“He has the speed, the confidence, and now he has the platform,” said Sergio Mora to DAZN Boxing, talking about David Benavidez at today’s Grand Arrivals in Riyadh.

Benavidez has had the platform before. The only reason he failed to become a star is that he couldn’t get the fights he needed against Canelo Alvarez.

“Earlier this week, Yarde said he would be hitting Benavidez harder than he’s been hit before. He said, ‘I don’t care who he’s been in the ring with. I hit harder than all of them,” said commentator Todd Grisham.

Yarde will be hitting Benavidez harder than he’s been hit. The question is, will Yarde last long enough to hurt ‘The Mexican Monster’ and send him to the canvas the way David Morrell did earlier this year on February 1, 2025? If Yarde can last beyond six rounds, his chances of winning will increase. Benavidez has shown stamina problems in his two fights at 175.

The Punch-With-You Blueprint

“I buy it because David Morrell dropped Benavidez. This man [Yarde] hits a lot harder than Morrell,” said Mora. “The thing about Anthony Yarde is that he punches with you. That’s what you need to do with speed. You can’t compete with the fast hands of Benavidez. What you do with speed is you punch in between the shots. ”

Benavidez isn’t untouchable. All those shots that he throws leave him vulnerable to getting hit, especially now that he’s fighting at 175 against fighters who can take his punch. Yarde has been hit harder in his fights at light heavyweight than what he’s going to be getting hit with by Benavidez on Saturday.

Yarde’s Left-Hand Trap

“Anthony Yarde does that, especially with that left hand. He likes to punch in between the combinations. That can lead to disaster for Benavidez if you don’t check your defense between your offense,” said Mora.