David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde prediction thread

Benavidez by decision.

I think Benavidez's reputation as a puncher or brawler is totally wrong, he's actually a very technically skilled boxer with good defence, but I don't think he has the power to KO Yarde, especially not at 175 where his power hasn't translated.

I imagine lots of people will be picking Yarde for an upset here, especially since he looked so good in defeat against Kovalev and especially Beterbiev. But he looked flat his last couple of fights - the decision vs Arthur this year could've gone either way - he probably should've moved up to cruiserweight and took his chance against Opetaia instead. He sure has an upset in him, but I predict he'll give Benavidez a few panicky moments before he gets outboxed down the stretch.

 

Benavidez has improved since his first fight at 175 so I think now that he is more acclimated to the weight he should win reasonably comfortably as he is a much better boxer than Yarde whose best chance would be to make it a shootout and use his natural size and power advantage but even in a shootout Benavidez will likely best him.
Yarde is a good fighter but he always loses when he steps up I don't see this being any different. I think it will be an entertaining fight though.

 

Good post I agree with most of this but I could see Yarde getting stopped due to exhaustion after the halfway point.

 

I can see Yarde having his moments; he's a genuine world-level guy, and the better the opponent, the better he usually is. I think it's the best fight on the card. I have maintained for years that Tundi will never navigate a fighter to a win against an A-grade fighter, and I would be astounded if Yarde beats Benavidez. I think Ant might have won a legit world title if he had a better trainer; he's a natural, with power and speed, and the heart of a lion.

That said, though, David is better in every single department apart from potentially power, especially up at 175. In a few years, he could be top of the P4P list for US fighters. He is exceptional, and one of my favourite fighters in the whole sport. I can see it being the fight of the night, with Ant definitely having his moments early on, but Benavidez stopping him around the same time Beterbiev did. In fact, I could see the whole fight playing out like the Beterbiev one.

 

Benavidez stops Yarde

 

Benavidez stops him late, but Yarde *could* get an upset stoppage. Benavidez is no defense wizard and has been dropped, stunned and buzzed by lesser fighters. If Yarde hits him right, he definitely can get a least a KD.

 

Benavidez by KO in 8.

 

Im happy to pick the upset here. Give me Yarde by TKO. Ive seen stranger things than Yarde stopping Benavidez.

 

Benevidez TKO9

 

Benavidez isn't bigger than Morrell