Anthony Yarde admits he isn’t concerned about people writing him off against David Benavidez.
Yarde looks to become world champion at the third attempt when he challenges WBC light heavyweight titlist, Benavidez in Riyadh on November 22.
The 33-year-old has opened up as at least a 5/1 underdog to defeat ‘The Mexican Monster’ who is unbeaten in 30 professional bouts.
However, the Londoner insists this is just providing him with added motivation to defeat the Phoenix man.
“I’m a realist, he’s the favourite,” Yarde said on Cigar Talk.
“He’s the heavy favourite.
“He’s been a world champion at different weight classes.
“He’s still undefeated, he’s got all the credentials.
“I’m a live underdog and I love being there because it motivates me.”
Yarde fell short in his two previous world title attempts, stopped in 11 rounds against Sergey Kovalev in 2019, before suffering an eighth round defeat to Artur Beterbiev in 2023, in a bit to become unified champion.
Yarde insists his performance against Beterbiev, albeit in defeat, has given him the credibility to face Benavidez.
“Before I fought Beterbiev, everyone wrote me off worse than this fight,” he added.
“I’ve only got some kind of credit in this fight because of the Beterbiev performance.
“After November 22nd, it’s going to be a different conversation.”
Benavidez has won two fights on the bounce since moving up from super middleweight, overcoming Oleksandr Gvozdyk and most recently David Morrell on points.
The 28-year-old was elevated to full WBC champion from interim titlist following Dmitry Bivol’s decision to vacate his belt shortly after beating Beterbiev to become undisputed champion.
Yarde called for a shootout with his rival when the pair came face-to-face at a press conference in New York last month and Benavidez expects a toe-to-toe battle between them.
“Anthony Yarde is a tremendous fighter,” he said.
“He has a lot of experience.
“This is his third time at a world title, so I know he’s going to leave it all on the line.
“I like to go to war too. I’m not going to back down from him, he’s not going to back down from me, so let’s have some fun November 22, let’s give the people what they want to see.”
