Benavidez: New Mexican Idol? Haney and Bam Rodríguez shine

Benavidez and Haney Shine in Saudi Arabia: A New Chapter for Boxing

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was the scene of a memorable night for boxing, with outstanding performances that could mark a before and after in the sport. David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Abdullah Mason offered fights that captivated the fans, opening new perspectives for their careers.

Benavidez: The Mexican Monster is Making His Way

David Benavidez defended his WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles with a dominant performance against Anthony Yarde. His performance, characterized by a combination of technique and ferocity, solidifies his position as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers. The technical knockout victory in the seventh round was a clear demonstration of his power and determination.

Benavidez, of Mexican descent, has expressed his intention to become the new figure of Mexican boxing, seeking to take Canelo Álvarez’s place. He has already announced his next challenge: a fight on May 2nd against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, where he will seek the cruiserweight titles. This fight, on Cinco de Mayo weekend, could be the definitive boost to consecrate him.

“I have news for you. On May 2nd, I will face Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez. I will move up to cruiserweight to dispute his titles”.

David Benavidez

His aggressive and spectacular fighting style sets him apart from other boxers. At 29 years old, Benavidez has a promising future, while other stars are starting to age. His rise seems unstoppable.

Haney: The Rematch and the Quest for Recognition

Devin Haney, known for his cautious style, showed a more aggressive side by defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision and conquering the WBO welterweight title. Although he knocked down Norman in the second round, he did not manage to finish the fight. Haney seeks to prove his worth and silence the critics.

Haney, often compared to Floyd Mayweather for his strategic approach, has learned from his experiences. His calculated style allows him to obtain victories, although he doesn’t always convince everyone. Now, with the WBO belt, a range of possibilities opens up to unify the division.

“In 2024, I lost everything. Everything fell apart. In 2025, I came to get it back. In 2026, I’m going for everything”.

Devin Haney

Promoter Eddie Hearn, while acknowledging Haney’s achievement, criticizes his fighting style and lack of initiative. However, Haney seems to have a well-defined strategy, which has given him results.

Rodriguez and Mason: Rising Young Stars

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, with a world-class performance, unified three super flyweight world titles against Fernando Martinez. Despite competing in a lower division, Rodriguez is a great potential star. His exciting style and his pursuit of the knockout make him a must-see boxer.

Abdullah Mason, for his part, became the youngest boxing champion by defeating Sam Noakes and winning the WBO lightweight title. Mason, at 21 years old, demonstrated his talent and determination, learning valuable lessons about endurance and defense.

The night in Riyadh made it clear that the future of boxing is in good hands, with emerging talents ready to conquer the world.