Summary

  1. From 18st kid to world champion - the rise of Benavidezpublished at 02:26 GMT 23 November 2025

    Benavidez v Yarde

    David Benavidez holds up his arms as he stands on scalesImage source, Getty Images

    At the age of 12, David Benavidez weighed 18st 6lb (117kg).

    Images on social media show Benavidez as an overweight 13-year-old training with his father to show just how far the two-time world champion has come.

    When he steps into the ring to defend his WBC light-heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde - he will be closer to 12st 7lb (79kg).

    "At the time, I would have never imagined I would be a top fighter and one of the biggest in boxing today," Benavidez told BBC Sport.

    "I always had faith in myself. I've never given up on myself.

    "I did have the will and the dedication to get to where I wanted to go. That's the message I want to give to the kids."

    Read David Benavidez's story.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 02:25 GMT 23 November 2025

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    What is world boxing doing about these poor judging decisions. 114-113, what fight were they watching?

    Andy from Sutton

  3. BBC Sport predictionspublished at 02:24 GMT 23 November 2025

    It's all on the line going into the final fight.

    Sean and Coral have four points, Kal is on three points and Bobbie is trailing on two after the third fight.

    It's a point for predicting the winner and one for a correct guess on method of victory.

    None of us see this bout going the distance:

    Coral: Yarde stoppage

    Kal: Benavidez stoppage

    Sean: Benavidez stoppage

    Bobbie: Benavidez stoppage

  4. Third time lucky?published at 02:23 GMT 23 November 2025

    Tony Bellew wearing the WBC cruiserweight title on his chest and Natasha Jonas holding the IBF welterweight titleImage source, Getty Images

    If Anthony Yarde does land a world title at the third attempt, he'd been following in the footsteps of some high-profile Britons.

    Tony Bellew lost against Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson before finally getting his hands on a world title in his 30th fight - beating Ilunga Makabu.

    Fellow Liverpudlian Natasha Jonas suffered double heartbreak, drawing against Terri Harper and losing to Katie Taylor in successive fights, but got her hands on a belt just shy of a year later and has reigned in two divisions.

    Spare a thought for George Groves and Frank Bruno, though, who required four tilts to become world champions!

  5. The Yarde-Ajayi bondpublished at 02:21 GMT 23 November 2025

    Benavidez v Yarde

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Loyalty is rare in boxing, but Anthony Yarde and long-time trainer Tunde Ajayi have stuck together from day one.

    Some critics say Yarde might already be a world champion had he switched camps, but that’s all hypothetical. What is real is the bond between them, and it’s genuinely warming to see in a sport built on break-ups.

    Anthony Yarde on pads with Tunde AjayiImage source, Getty Images
  6. 'Haney is scared of his own shadow'published at 02:20 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Conor Benn speaking on Devin Haney after his win over Brian Norman Jr: "There wasn't entertainment in there and it's the entertainment business. I put on fight of the year contenders. He (Haney) puts people to sleep, and not in the ring.

    "Rolly Romero excites me. Haney is scared of his own shadow. I just want to give the fans what they want, and that's fight of the year contenders."

    Eddie Hearn added: "Haney is fighting scared. He doesn't want to engage."

  7. Arsenal to win the league & dreaming of fast foodpublished at 02:20 GMT 23 November 2025

    Benavidez v Yarde

    Prior to facing Artur Beterbiev in 2023, Anthony Yarde sat down go 12 rounds with BBC Sport.

    Some interesting answers and - two years down the line - he's still waiting on Arsenal winning the Premier League again...

  8. 'I'm here to stay for a long time'published at 02:18 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Devin Haney speaking after his victory over Brian Norman Jr: "He came out exactly as we planned, but then he made adjustments. He's a true champion and better than I expected. We trained for how he came out initially.

    "147lb (welterweight) is a weight class I should have been at for a long time. I'm here to stay for a long time.

    "It doesn't matter who is next, whoever my Dad says is next, that's who I'll fight."

  9. 'I don't believe in luck'published at 02:18 GMT 23 November 2025

    Benavidez v Yarde

    Anthony Yarde holds up his handsImage source, Getty Images

    Anthony Yarde has fallen short in his two previous world title bids but feels he is better placed to get the job done this time.

    Yarde's first attempt came in 2019 against Sergey Kovalev and he lost to Artur Beterbiev four years later - with many viewing this as his final chance to realise his dream.

    "I keep hearing 'three time's a charm' or 'third time lucky'. I don't really believe in luck. I feel like I'm a better fighter now," Yarde said.

  10. Postpublished at 02:17 GMT 23 November 2025

    Three down and just one to go.

    Main event is up next!

  11. Postpublished at 02:16 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Claressa Shields
    Undisputed world champion on X

    Congrats Norman you put up a great fight! Keep building G.

  12. Postpublished at 02:13 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Dave Coldwell
    Boxing trainer on X

    "Haney did what he had to do. Norman Jr limited & disappointing."

  13. Postpublished at 02:12 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Undisputed at lightweight, champion at light-welterweight and now Haney has a title in a third weight class.

    The gamble of moving up to welterweight pays off.

  14. Benavidez v Yarde - ways to listenpublished at 02:09 GMT 23 November 2025

    BBC Sounds

    Right we are on BBC Radio 5 Live for the main event.

    Remember you can listen by simply clicking the button at the top of this page or via BBC Sounds app.

    If you're at home you can also listen via smart speaker, just say 'Play 5 Live'.

  15. Haney winspublished at 02:08 GMT 23 November 2025

    Haney beats Norman Jr by unanimous decision

    Over to the judges and it hasn't taken long.

    114-113, 117-110 and 116-111 all in favour of Devin Haney.

    Devin Haney bites into his world titleImage source, Queensberry
  16. Round twelvepublished at 02:06 GMT 23 November 2025

    Norman Jr v Haney

    Haney lands an uppercut as Norman Jr steps in.

    This bout had so much potential when it burst into life with that knockdown in the second but it has failed to live up to it.

    Haney is happy to be tied up in the clinch.

    He runs off to celebrate in the corner when the bell rings.

    Is Haney about to be announced as a champion in a third division?

    Haney and Norman Jr after the final bellImage source, Queensberry
  17. Round twelvepublished at 02:03 GMT 23 November 2025

    Norman Jr v Haney

    Three minutes for Norman Jr to try and retain his WBO welterweight title.

  18. Postpublished at 02:03 GMT 23 November 2025

    Norman Jr v Haney

    Steve Bunce
    Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Norman Jr knows he was 180 seconds to keep his belt here.

  19. Round elevenpublished at 02:02 GMT 23 November 2025

    Norman Jr v Haney

    Norman Jr was told to "leave it all out there" before the eleventh but I'm not sure what he's got left.

    It's another close round. Haney is managing the distance and Norman Jr looks frustrated.

  20. Round tenpublished at 01:58 GMT 23 November 2025

    Norman Jr v Haney

    Haney lands that left hook that worked so effectively in the first half of the fight. Norman Jr walks through it, maybe Haney's power is fading?

    This is when Norman Jr really needs to come to life but the champion still seems to be holding back.

    Haney lands on Norman JrImage source, Queensberry