British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde's pursuit of world championship glory ended in bitter disappointment once more as David Benavidez halted him in round seven in Riyadh.
The 34-year-old Londoner's third attempt at capturing a world title concluded with a seventh-round stoppage, marking his fourth professional defeat in 31 contests.
The WBC champion systematically dismantled Yarde in Saudi Arabia, delivering a punishing performance that left the challenger bloodied and beaten.
This latest setback follows previous world title defeats to Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2022, raising serious questions about whether elite honours will forever remain beyond Yarde's grasp.
Anthony Yarde was left bloodied on the deck after a thrashing at the hands of David Benavitez
|REUTERS
The American fighter, known as the "Mexican Monster", took command after a cautious opening, unleashing devastating combinations that left blood pouring from Yarde's nose by round six.
The decisive moment arrived in the seventh when a ferocious assault sent the Hackney-born boxer to the canvas.
Benavidez continued his attack after Yarde had taken a knee, earning a two-point penalty for striking a downed opponent.
Despite this deduction, the champion's relentless pressure proved overwhelming.
Another sustained barrage, culminating in a crushing left hook, compelled the referee to intervene and spare Yarde from further punishment with sixty seconds remaining in the round.
David Benavidez put on a clinic as he proved his class over Anthony Yarde
|REUTERS
"I stuck in there. I'm a fighter," Yarde defiantly stated despite the defeat.
"I felt like it was competitive. I know how he comes with good pressure. I was boxing, boxing, thinking middle rounds, the dog rounds, we would exchange."
The Ilford fighter revealed the turning point came when Benavidez caught him cleanly.
"He has quick hands, caught me first and hit me with a good shot on the nose. When I took a knee and he hit me when I was down, I was dizzy after that."
Despite the setback, Yarde maintained his warrior spirit in defeat.
Anthony Yarde's next step remains to be seen but he could now face a British opponent in Callum Smith or Joshua Buatsi
|REUTERS
The 28-year-old Benavidez maintained his flawless professional record, advancing to 31 victories with 25 stoppages.
Following his dominant display, the two-time super-middleweight champion announced plans to ascend to cruiserweight, targeting Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez for the WBA and WBO belts on 2 May.
This ambitious move would see Benavidez attempt to capture world honours in a third weight division. Meanwhile, Yarde faces an uncertain path forward after falling short at elite level once again.
His trainer Tunde Ajayi acknowledged the camp's disappointment, stating: "You saw why so many people don't want to fight him [Benavidez]. We're all upset but it is what it is."