A stacked card headlines The Ring’s latest event in Saudi Arabia on November 22. The main event will see David Benavidez defend the WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde.
Benavidez (30-0) is a two-time WBC super middleweight champion. The 28-year-old moved to light heavyweight and beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim WBC belt. He eventually became the full-time champion.
Can Benavidez's power transfer over to a new division? Can he earn a dramatic finish and force his way to future money fights at 175?
“What I’ve done in this camp is gone back to the basics, using footwork, using distance, using head movement. We’re not going to set up traps. These are bigger guys,” Benavidez said. “So, me walking them down is not going to work like I did at 168 lbs.
“But for me, I know for a fact I can hurt these guys. Now I need to follow the game plan and work behind the jab, but I see opportunities to hurt Anthony Yarde, and I just have to stick to the plan.”
Yarde (27-3) has fought for light heavyweight gold twice. His most recent title shot was a loss against Artur Beterbiev in 2023. He has since won four straight.
Despite falling short before, the Hackney-born Yarde believes it’s his time to shine.
“Mentally, I’ve already won,” Yarde said. “Coming from where I was and getting to this stage for the third time and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I feel like I’ve already won. There’s no pressure on me. I’m an excellent fighter, and with a bit more experience, I can be the best in the division. I’m excited.”
Several titles are on the line on the David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde undercard, while young prospects are ready to impress.
David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Benavidez vs. Yarde card.
Brian Norman Jr. Vs. Devin Haney
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Rivera record: 28-0
- Roldan record: 32-0
- Belts at stake: WBO welterweight title
The co-feature will see Brian Norman Jr. Defend the WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney.
Norman (28-0) has already surpassed his father, Brian Norman Sr. (18-11), in wins. "The Assassin II" won interim gold last year and was elevated to full-time champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt. He took out top contender Jin Sasaki in June.
Haney (32-0) beat George Kambosos Jr. To become undisputed at lightweight. He moved in weight and beat Regis Prograis for super lightweight gold. The 26-year-old lost his momentum against Ryan Garcia in a defeat that turned into a no-contest. Rebounding a year later, he beat Jose Carlos Ramirez.
Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez
- Division/Weight: Super Flyweight
- Rodriguez record: 22-0
- Martinez record: 18-0
- Belts at stake: WBA, WBC, and Ring super flyweight titles
Also on the card, Jesse Rodriguez and Fernando Martinez compete in a super flyweight unification fight.
Rodriguez (22-0) initially held gold at 115 before focusing on the flyweight division. "Bam" won more gold and returned to super flyweight, taking out Juan Francisco Estrada and Phumelela Cafu to claim the WBC, WBO, and Ring titles.
MORE: 25 Under 25: Ranking the best boxing prospects and champions in 2024
A South American Games bronze medalist and Olympian, Martinez (18-0) previously held the IBF super flyweight title. He beat Kazuto Ioka to win the WBA title and successfully defended the belt in a rematch in May.
Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Mason record: 19-0
- Noakes record: 17-0
- Belts at stake: WBO lightweight title
Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes compete for the WBO lightweight title.
A multi-time USA Junior Open winner and a 2020 Youth National Championships finalist, Mason (19-0) looks to go 4-0 in 2025 while also winning gold at 21.
Noakes (17-0) won the Commonwealth title in 2022 and British and European gold in 2024. Living in Kent, the 28-year-old has 15 wins via knockout.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. Vs. Samuel Nmomah
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Mielnicki record: 21-1
- Nmomah record: 21-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Vito Mielnicki Jr. Faces Samuel Nmomah.
A four-time Junior National Golden Gloves champion, Mielnicki (21-1) beat Kamil Gardzielik in his first headlining fight. The 23-year-old has 12 wins via knockout.
Nmomah (21-0) has fought only three times since 2023. The Nigerian competes outside of Italy for the first time in his career.
Mohammed Alakel vs. Jiaming Li
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Alakel record: 6-0
- Li record: 7-5
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card, it will be Mohammed Alakel vs. Jiaming Li.
Alakel (6-0) is quickly becoming a force in boxing. The Saudi Arabian was showcased heavily on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight card, winning his fourth fight of 2025.
Li (7-5) is 2-1 in his last three fights. The Chinese fighter has four wins via knockout.
Julio Porras Ruiz vs. Pius Mpenda
- Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
- Porras record: 13-0
- Mpenda record: 11-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Julio Porras Ruiz faces Pius Mpenda.
Porras (13-0) competes outside Mexico for the first time. "Diamante" has nine wins via knockout.
Mpenda (11-4-1) is 1-1-1 in his last three fights. The Tanzanian looks to win two straight for the first time since 2023.
Sultan Almohammed vs. Umesh Chavan
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Almohammed record: 1-0
- Chavan record: 3-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Sultan Almohammed faces Umesh Chavan.
A two-time champion across six domestic tournaments, Almohammed (1-0) defeated bare-knuckle fighter Martin Caraballo in his debut match.
Chavan (3-1-1) has won two straight, winning in February after last competing in 2023.
David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, November 22
- Start time: 3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT | 8 p.m. GMT | 7 a.m. AEDT
- Main event start time (approx.): 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT
- Location: ANB Arena - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Live Stream: DAZN
- PPV Price: $59.99 | £24.99 | $49.99 (AU)
David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde will be available on DAZN worldwide.
In the U.S., a DAZN monthly subscription is $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $29.99 month-to-month. The annual subscription is $224.99.
In the U.K., a DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99.
In Australia, a DAZN monthly subscription is $14.99. A DAZN annual (upfront) subscription costs $149.99.