David Benavidez has found his next opponent, but it's not Canelo Alvarez. The WBC super middleweight champion will defend his interim title against Anthony Yarde this November.
Saudi royalty made the announcement, revealing not only Benavidez's new opponent but also a fresh alliance between the boxer and Riyadh Season. Sheikh Turki Alalshikh shared the news, confirming that the fight will be part of the upcoming Riyadh Season events.
Fans have long hoped to see Benavidez, known as the "Mexican Monster," face off against his fellow countryman Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. That matchup seems further away than ever. Canelo has avoided the fight, even calling Benavidez a "coward" for his approach to securing the bout.
Jose Benavidez, David's father, can't wrap his head around why Canelo and Bivol won't step into the ring with his son. The situation pushed Benavidez to make a big career move.
Unable to land the Canelo fight, Benavidez left the super middleweight division behind. He's now competing at light heavyweight, aiming to win a world championship. However, he's not yet involved in the unification fights between Beterbiev and Bivol.
"We don't understand why Canelo and Bivol don't want to fight David," Jose Benavidez said. "It's frustrating, but we're moving forward."
The upcoming fight against Yarde marks a new chapter for Benavidez. It's his chance to show what he can do in a higher weight class and potentially set up bigger fights down the line.
With this announcement, boxing fans have a clear picture of what's next for Benavidez. While it's not the Canelo showdown many hoped for, it's a step forward for the undefeated champion as he looks to make his mark in a new division.
