David Benavidez strengthened his grip on the WBC light-heavyweight championship with a seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yarde on Saturday, extending his unbeaten record to 31 fights.
The 27-year-old American, who moved up to the division last year, gradually broke Yarde (27-4, 24 KOs) down with sustained pressure and rapid combinations, leaving the British challenger with a bloody nose in the sixth round before the referee ended the fight at 1:59 into the seventh.
The defeat marked the 34-year-old British fighter’s third failed world-title bid, following previous stoppage losses to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. Despite moments of competitiveness, Yarde spent much of the contest on the back foot as Benavidez’s speed and accuracy took control.