Benavidez will defend his WBC light-heavyweight title in the last of four world championship fights taking place on a huge bill.
It is a massive opportunity for Londoner Yarde, who will hope to make it third time lucky in terms of world title challenges after previous spirited defeats by Russian duo Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev.
‘The Beast from the East’ has had something of an underwhelming run since his epic clash with Beterbiev in January 2023 in which he hurt the former undisputed champion in a thrilling encounter at Wembley Arena as he tried to claim the WBC, IBF and WBO belts at 175lbs before being pulled out by his corner following a heavy knockdown in the eighth round.
Yarde returned with early knockout triumphs over little-known opponents in Jorge Silva and Marko Nikolic before labouring to an unimpressive points win over Ralfs Vilcans. He then claimed a decision against Lyndon Arthur in the lacklustre third instalment of their long-running rivalry on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in April.
He now faces another enormous test against Benavidez, one of the sport’s most explosive fighters who remains undefeated at 30-0 with 24 knockouts having reigned as WBC light-heavyweight champion since being elevated following Dmitry Bivol’s decision to vacate one of his belts in April having won a rematch with Beterbiev to become undisputed.
Benavidez became Bivol’s mandatory challenger with the WBC, but the belt was relinquished as the latter instead chose to try and secure a decisive trilogy contest with Beterbiev, which has been put on hold for now with Beterbiev also pulling out of a meeting with Deon Nicholson scheduled for this card.
Bivol, meanwhile, is aiming to return to the ring in early 2026 after undergoing back surgery in the summer.
Benavidez had initially become the interim WBC champion by easing to a comfortable points win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk on his light-heavyweight debut last summer, retaining that title and also picking up the WBA ‘regular’ belt by withstanding a late knockdown to beat David Morrell in Las Vegas in February.
The American moved up to light-heavyweight after his unsuccessful and protracted attempts to secure a huge showdown with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, having previously spent three years as WBC super-middleweight champion after breaking records in the division by winning the belt aged just 20.
Benavidez vs Yarde fight date and venue
The Ring IV event takes place on Saturday November 22, 2025 at Kingdom Arena – ANB Arena – in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez vs Yarde fight time and ring walks
Saturday night’s undercard is expected to begin at around 8pm GMT, which is 11pm local time, 3pm ET and 12pm PT in the United States.
Ring walks for the main event are not anticipated until approximately 2:04am GMT in the early hours of Sunday morning, which is 5:04am in Riyadh, 9:04pm ET and 6:04pm PT.
How to watch Benavidez vs Yarde
TV channel and live stream: The Ring IV is being shown live and exclusive worldwide on DAZN via their pay-per-view service. It will cost £24.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the US.
Those who have bought the event via DAZN can watch it live online via their website and app.
Live blog: Follow updates from the entire card with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Benavidez vs Yarde undercard
Benavidez vs Yarde is the most high-profile of four world title fights taking place on the same show in Riyadh.
In the chief support act of the night, former undisputed lightweight and WBC super-lightweight champion Devin Haney looks to become a three-weight world champion as he challenges WBO welterweight title-holder Brian Norman Jr, with Jack Catterall potentially awaiting the winner after his victory over Ekow Essuman.
Former British, European and Commonwealth lightweight champion Sam Noakes faces rising American star Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title at 135lbs that was stripped from Keyshawn Davis after he failed to make weight for his first scheduled defence against Edwin De Los Santos in June.
There is also a huge super-flyweight unification showdown between Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Fernando Martinez, with the WBC, WBA and IBF belts all on the line.
American middleweight prospect Vito Mienlicki Jr is up against unbeaten Nigerian-born Italian opponent Samuel Nmomah in a 10-rounder to kick off the main card, after Saudi pair Mohammed Alakel and Sultan Almohammed have both fought on the prelim bill.
David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde
Brian Norman Jr vs Devin Haney
Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs Fernando Martinez
Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Samuel Nmomah
Mohammed Alakel vs Jiaming Li
Julio Porras Ruiz vs Pius Mpenda
Sultan Almohammed vs Umesh Chavan
Benavidez vs Yarde prediction
This weekend’s fiery main event in Riyadh has the potential to be a late Fight of the Year contender, make no mistake.
The hard-hitting and undefeated Benavidez is one of boxing’s most destructive punchers and, having tried and failed for so long to secure a showdown with Canelo, will be eager to make a statement as he now chases the likes of former sparring partner Bivol and Beterbiev, or potentially another move up to cruiserweight for a shot at WBA and WBO champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, or even Jai Opetaia.
‘The Mexican Monster’ is a clear favourite here against Yarde, whose four fights since that classic encounter with Beterbiev have all been either very low-key or very underwhelming.
Stepping up: Yarde more than played his part in a thrilling clash with Artur Beterbiev in 2023
Getty Images
However, the man from Hackney has form for stepping up and making these big occasions riveting, close and memorable, as his previous world title challenges against Kovalev and Beterbiev both show.
While he may not have enough in the end to shock Benavidez in what could well be his last chance at world level aged 34, you can be sure that he will give it a damn good go with fireworks hopefully guaranteed.
Benavidez to win by late stoppage.
Benavidez vs Yarde latest odds
Benavidez to win by decision: 15/8
Benavidez to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 8/13
Yarde to win by decision: 16/1
Yarde to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 8/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
