ANTHONY YARDE has vowed to come back better and stronger than ever after his crushing loss to David Benavidez in Saudi Arabia.
But following three punishing world title defeats, even Benavidez warned London’s brave Beast From the East to consider his boxing future.
Yarde, 34, was dropped and stopped inside seven rounds in Riyadh, left marked up under his right eye and bleeding from his nose.
But in the aftermath of his latest light-heavyweight heartache, Yarde said: “Those that know me, know that I’m p***ed. But I’ll be back.
“I’ll be back better, stronger. Congrats to Benavidez, serious fighter. I knew what I was getting myself into but I thought I could pull it off and shock up the world trying to be great again.
“But he was the better man tonight and that’s just me being honest. Congrats to him, congrats to his team and yeah, I’m just letting everyone know that I’m good.
“Some people are worried because my nose was bleeding but yeah, I’m good.
“I’m gonna eat some good food, go on holiday and do some other stuff that I’m not gonna mention! But love as always.”
Yarde came within a punch away from dethroning Sergey Kovalev of the WBO title in 2019 before losing a Fight of The Year contender to Russian great Artur Beterbiev four years later.
But taking on American Benavidez – who earned his Mexican Monster nickname due to his Hispanic heritage – was perhaps his most daring challenge of all.
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Yarde got off to a flying start by beating the champion to the punch, landing well-timed counters and left hooks upstairs.
But his back foot boxing tactics and eagerness to sit on the ropes proved to be his downfall as Benavidez took the invite with both hands.
By six rounds, it was the beginning of the end as Benavidez’s blurring hand speed with either fist proved just too much to cope with.
Yarde did spark huge encouragement from his corner after backing Benavidez up onto the ropes and unleashing right hands.
But they soon desperately pleaded with their man to hold on after Benavidez dramatically turned the tide.
The seventh got off to a disastrous start for Hackney’s title challenger when a left hook left his nose seeping blood
And he soon after found himself sunk to the canvas following a barrage of combinations from Benavidez that slumped Yarde in the corner.
But the clumsy champ hit Yarde on the deck – earning himself a TWO point deduction – although it mattered little.
Quite literally smelling blood – with Yarde covered in claret – Benavidez closed the show with two thudding left hooks on the ropes.
I’ll be back. I’ll be back better, stronger. Congrats to Benavidez, serious fighter. I knew what I was getting myself into but I thought I could pull it off and shock up the world trying to be great again.
Anthony Yarde
Thankfully referee Hector Afu intervened before any further damage could be done – declaring Benavidez a dominant victor.
The Arizona-born – who turned professional at just 16 having been trained by his dad from the age of two – was flanked by his wife and five-year-old son Anthony in the post-fight press conference.
And after becoming the third man to hand Yarde painful world title heartache, he told the courageous Brit to carefully consider his next move.
He said: “It’s up to him. He took a lot of punishment tonight, a lot of punishment.
“At the end of the day, he’s been in there three times with three different world champions and faced a lot of punishment.
“He has a lot of heart but it’s up to him if he wants to come back, that’s a question he’ll have to answer.”
Yarde’s long-time domestic rival Joshua Buatsi – who controversially beat Zach Parker this month – was ringside as a fight between them remains possible.
For Benavidez, 28, he announced plans to move up to cruiserweight and challenge Mexico’s WBA and WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez, 34, next May.
He said: “I’ve got some news for you guys, May 2nd me versus Zurdo Ramirez, I’m going up to cruiserweight to challenge for his title.”
