On Sat., Nov. 22, 2025, Saudi boxing promoter Turki Al-Sheikh put together one of boxing’s most exciting fight cards for 2025. From top to bottom, the card was stacked with some of the best boxers.
In one of the two main events, two division and current unified light heavyweight WBC and WBA champion David Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) defended his titles against two-time world light heavyweight (175 lbs.) challenger Anthony Yarde (31-4, 27 KOs). Benavidez was a former mandatory challenger for two years to former undisputed 168 lbs. champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who refused to face him, opting instead to fight “Pound for Pound” best fighter Terrance “Bud” Crawford, to whom he lost.
The other current unified IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol also opted not to fight Benavidez, so he was stripped of his World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight championship, and the WBC then elevated Benevidez to full status as its champion.
Yarde is a tough fighter but was unsuccessful in his first two attempts challenging former champions Arthur Beterbiev in 2023 and Sergey Kovalev in 2019 for world titles. At the official weigh-in 24 hours before the Benavidez fight, Yarde looked impressively strong and muscular, without an ounce of fat. This could have led fight fans to believe Benavidez would have his hands full with Yarde, who had even boasted that he would win and criticized Benevidez’s lean appearance, since he’d lost weight to make the 175 lbs. division.
The expression that “looks could be deceiving” came to mind after the first bell. Although Yarde put a up a good fight, Benavidez was the more aggressive fighter that out-landed and out-smarted Yarde. By the 7th round, Yarde was battered and bloody. Benavidez scored a knockdown against Yarde, but Yarde survived the 10 count. Benavidez then quickly followed up with multiple non-stop punching flurries. Yarde was visibly hurt under the barrage, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:59 into the 7th round, thereby awarding Benavidez the TKO victory.
After the fight, Benevidez stated he would move up to the cruiserweight division (200 lbs.) to challenge WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in May 2026, since Benavidez has been unable to secure the “Big Fights” against Canelo, Bivol, or Beterbiev.
In the other main event, former two division champion Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) moved up to the welterweight (147 lbs.) division to challenge Brian Norman, Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs, 2NC) for his WBO title.
There was a lot of criticism against Haney for boxing against smaller fighters, which gave him a physical advantage. Some critics said that he should not have been fighting at lightweight (135 lbs.) or junior welterweight (140 lbs.), where he won titles in both divisions. He should have been fighting at 147 lbs. or even as high as 154 lbs., they said.
In his two fights prior to challenging Norman, Haney won what was characterized as a dull 12-round match against Jose Ramirez in May 2025 and lost badly to Ryan Garcia in April 2024. The Garcia loss was eventually ruled a “no contest, ” and Devin Haney’s undefeated status was restored because Garcia tested positive for a performance enhancing drug (PED) ostarine, which is banned for boxers. Going into the Norman fight, Haney was the underdog, primarily because he was finally fighting someone his own size. But Haney surprised everyone by outclassing the now former champion Norman. From the first bell, it was clear that Haney was the superior fighter. In the second round, Haney stunned onlookers by scoring a knockdown against Norman. Haney boxed well, used his speed to avoid punches, and cruised to a unanimous decision victory. Official judges’ scorecards were 117-110, 116-111, and 114-113. Haney is now a three-division world champion with lucrative high-profile fights possibly in his future in 2026.
On the undercard, WBC/WBO and Ring magazine super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) faced WBA super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez (19-1, 9 KOs). From the opening bell, “Bam” showed he was the superior fighter by totally outclassing the lesser skilled Martinez. The end came in the 10th round with a perfectly landed lefthand punch that scored a knockout. The time of stoppage was at 1:25 minutes into the round. “Bam” added the WBA title to his trophy case and continues to show why he is one of the best fighters in boxing today.
In another exciting bout, 21-year-old Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) became boxing’s youngest world champion by defeating Sam Noakes (18-1, 17 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight championship (135 lbs.) in an exciting fight. Both fighters were undefeated, but someone’s undefeated record had to go.
Noakes came out early to show he was not just there for a payday, but Mason proved to be the superior fighter by using a superior jab, strong combinations, good footwork, and better ring IQ to secure a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over Noakes after 12 rounds. The official judges scores were 117-111 and 115-113. Mason now joins an elite class of fighters such as Gervonta “Tank” Davis (WBA champion) and Shakur Stevenson (WBC lightweight champion), which will no doubt increase his popularity and give him a multimillion dollar payday.
Andy Cruz and Raymond Muratalla will fight for the vacant IBF title on Jan. 24, 2026, which will make the 135 lbs. division even more exciting to watch. There will be some great bouts if the champions decide to box each other. Let’s hope Turki Al-Sheikh can make it happen in 2026.
Contact Writer: Rl*********@*ol.com
