British light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde is not one to shy away from a challenge, a fact underscored by his upcoming high-stakes bout. On November 22nd in Riyadh, Yarde is scheduled to face the highly-regarded David Benavidez for the WBC light-heavyweight championship. This will be Yarde`s third shot at a world title, following previous attempts against division stalwarts Sergey Kovalev and the unified force Artur Beterbiev. Taking on an undefeated, top-tier opponent like Benavidez immediately after another world title challenge might seem like an unusually difficult path, yet Yarde insists he accepted the fight without hesitation.
“I`ll fight who is willing to fight me or when the opportunity comes,” Yarde stated, encapsulating his aggressive approach to matchmaking. He views these major fights as quick decisions, opportunities to be seized rather than avoided. This philosophy, he explains, is deeply personal, rooted in a refusal to let external opinions dictate his career. “I don`t live my life to please other people… I do what I do want to do,” he asserted, presenting himself as a fighter driven by internal conviction and a clear trajectory towards the top, regardless of potential easier routes.
But the ambition doesn`t merely end with the formidable task of overcoming Benavidez. Yarde is already looking beyond November, setting his sights firmly on the division`s other reigning king, Dmitry Bivol. Bivol currently holds the WBO, WBA, and IBF light-heavyweight titles, and Yarde sees him as the next logical target after a potential victory over Benavidez. The ultimate goal is clear: achieving undisputed status in the light-heavyweight division.
“I have no fear of any man on this planet,” Yarde declared with unmistakable confidence. His drive is fuelled by a desire for a legacy defined by challenging the absolute best. He wants to retire without the regret of having avoided top-level opponents. His self-belief is unwavering: “My personality is that I feel like I can beat everyone.” Benavidez is the immediate, immense hurdle, but the vision extends to unifying the division, making a clash with Bivol an essential step on his desired path to the summit.
This singular focus on the top tier has also redefined Yarde`s perspective on other potential matchups. He made it clear that revisiting a rivalry with domestic competitor Joshua Buatsi is no longer on his immediate radar. Yarde views the challenge presented by Benavidez – a fighter he describes as a “top, world-class operator, a world champion, undefeated… considered to be avoided” – as operating on an entirely different scale. From this elevated position, he asserts he is “always looking up,” concentrating solely on the most significant challenges the sport has to offer globally.
Anthony Yarde is demonstrably choosing the path of most resistance. His willingness to take on successive elite opponents, first the daunting task against Benavidez, and then potentially the reigning multi-belt champion Bivol for undisputed status, highlights a blend of bravery and unwavering self-belief that is compelling. His journey continues, marked by bold decisions and a relentless pursuit of becoming the best the light-heavyweight division has to offer.
Murray Blackwood