Benavidez vs. Zurdo, Haney Champion and Bam Rodriguez Shine: Boxing Recap

Benavidez and Haney Shine in Saudi Arabia: A Successful Saturday for Boxing

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was the epicenter of boxing last Saturday, with outstanding performances that promise to redefine the sport’s landscape. David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, and Abdullah Mason delivered memorable nights, each leaving their mark on the ring.

David Benavidez: The “Mexican Monster” on the Rise

David Benavidez demonstrated his power by defending his WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles with a dominant victory over Anthony Yarde. This performance reaffirmed his position as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

Benavidez’s victory, added to Canelo Álvarez’s recent defeat, opens the door for “The Mexican Monster” to become the new face of Mexican boxing and, eventually, of boxing in general. Benavidez, of Mexican descent, has his sights set on the traditional dates of Mexican boxing and plans to challenge Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez for his cruiserweight titles in his next fight.

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

David Benavidez

Benavidez’s aggressive style and determination set him apart from his contemporaries. His willingness to take on any opponent without hesitation makes him a fan favorite. At 29 years old, Benavidez has a long way to go, while other stars are nearing the end of their careers.

Devin Haney: A Champion Seeking Respect

Devin Haney, often criticized for his conservative style, showed a more aggressive side by defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision and winning the WBO welterweight title. Haney knocked down Norman in the second round, but failed to finish his opponent.

Haney, like Floyd Mayweather, is a strategic boxer who seeks victory without taking too many risks. This strategy has allowed him to win, but it has also raised doubts about his ability to finish off his rivals. Haney still needs to prove his worth to silence his critics.

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

Devin Haney

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing promoter, is not an admirer of Haney’s style, but he acknowledges his achievements. Now that he holds the WBO belt, Haney will have to face other champions to unify the division.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez: Shining in the Lower Divisions

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez unified three world super flyweight titles with an outstanding performance against Fernando Martinez. Despite competing in a lower division, Rodriguez is a rising star. His fights are always exciting and he seeks the knockout. He is expected to face the winner of the fight between Willibaldo Garcia Perez and Kenshiro Teraji on December 27 to become the undisputed champion.

Rodríguez, who turns 26 in January, is ranked number 5 in Alofoke Deportes’ pound-for-pound ranking. He just needs to win over the hearts of casual fans.

Abdullah Mason: Learning to Grow in the Ring

Abdullah Mason became the youngest boxing champion by defeating Sam Noakes by unanimous decision and winning the WBO lightweight title. Mason, a talented boxer, had to prove his worth against a resilient Noakes.

This victory will be fundamental for Mason’s development as a boxer. Despite having an offensive approach, he still has areas in which he needs to improve his defense. In a division with different styles, Mason will have to rely more on his determination than on his skill. It would not be surprising if this fight with Noakes pushes him to go from good to excellent.