David Benavidez and Abdullah Mason Shine, Haney and Bam Dominate

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a one-sided demolition that headlined the Riyadh Season’s Ring IV: Night of Champions card, WBC light heavyweight champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez retained his title with a brutal seventh-round TKO over Anthony Yarde on Saturday night at the ANB Arena. The 31-year-old unbeaten phenom (31-0, 25 KOs) overwhelmed the British challenger from the opening bell, turning what was billed as a high-stakes clash into a showcase of his relentless pressure and pinpoint power.

Benavidez, making his first defense at 175 pounds after conquering the division’s top contenders earlier this year, dictated the pace with sweeping combinations and suffocating footwork. Yarde (27-4, 24 KOs), a two-time title challenger known for his explosive power, showed heart with sporadic counters—landing a few head-snapping rights that briefly staggered the champ in rounds three and five. But Benavidez’s superior volume and ring generalship wore down the Londoner, pinning him repeatedly in the corners.

The end came in a chaotic seventh: Benavidez floored Yarde with a vicious flurry against the ropes, though referee Laurence Cole deducted two points from the champion for a follow-up shot on the downed fighter. Undeterred, Benavidez swarmed back in, unleashing a left hook that froze Yarde in place. Cole waved it off at 2:03, sparing the valiant Brit further punishment.   

Post-fight, a bloodied but beaming Benavidez called out cruiserweight contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for a May showdown, signaling his intent to chase legacy across weight classes. “Yarde’s tough, but I’m built for wars like this,” Benavidez told DAZN. “Zurdo, let’s make it happen—I’m coming for all the belts.” 

The card, promoted by Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season extravaganza, was a title-laden feast broadcast on DAZN PPV. Earlier highlights included Abdullah Mason (21) becoming boxing’s youngest world champion with a unanimous decision over Sam Noakes to claim the vacant WBO lightweight strap, and Devin Haney outclassing Brian Norman Jr. to snag the WBO welterweight title in the co-main.   Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez also defended his WBC super flyweight crown via unanimous decision against Fernando Martinez, rounding out a night that solidified Saudi Arabia’s grip on boxing’s biggest stages.

With Benavidez eyeing bigger fish, the light heavyweight division heats up—proving Riyadh Season isn’t just entertainment; it’s where monsters are made.