5 Burning Questions for Benavidez-Yarde
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The close of 2025 brings one of boxing’s most compelling double-headers. Two cards, four headliners, and storylines that could shape the sport as we head into a pivotal new year.
In this edition, we break down the five biggest questions heading into David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde and Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr. From separating hype from reality to examining what these matchups mean for boxing in 2026, we cover it all:
#1. How much of a real threat does Anthony Yarde pose to David Benavidez?
Lee: Every fighter has a puncher’s chance to win a fight. But normally, most fights come down to skill. Although both guys are skilled, I feel David Benavidez is more skilled and a better fighter than Anthony Yarde. If Yarde were to win it would be considered an all-time great upset. I don’t see Yarde being a threat in this fight at all.
Yarde is a power puncher. He might be able to find some openings to land if Benavidez chooses to implore his always hard-charging style. But, Benavidez’s volume will be too much for him to handle. I don’t see Yarde standing up to that while facing one of the best fighters in the world.
Evan: I’m pretty much in lock step with Lee here. Yarde is a big, athletic, puncher who has a real rugged style. His 24 KO wins are a shining example of that. He also had valiant efforts against Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev, where he hurt both of them. However, he also eventually succumbed to their superior skills and was finished late in each fight.
I’m not sure how he’s going to handle Benavidez’s relentless pressure, durability, combination punching, and the overall torrential downpour of his offensive game. This fight should be very fun while it lasts. But, outside of landing the ultimate home run shot, Yarde shouldn’t provide much of a challenge to The Mexican Monster.
#2. Is Devin Haney overlooking and underestimating Brian Norman Jr. too much?
Lee: Devin Haney could be in for a long night against the hard-hitting Brian Norman Jr. Haney has told critics who question his power that they will “see” in this fight. But, trying to prove that would be a mistake. His best chance is to outbox Norman Jr., not trade with him.
The WBO welterweight champion is coming off a highlight knockout over Jin Sasaki. His left hook was a major weapon, a punch has caught Haney before. After watching him overlook Ryan Garcia, we know what can happen when he strays from what makes him effective.
Evan: I also feel like Haney is somewhat overlooking the challenge Norman Jr. presents to him and the caliber of opponent he’s facing here. Especially given the way he’s handled the pre-fight build up to this matchup. He has tried to sort of big bro Brian and it really hasn’t worked at all.
The 24-year-old undefeated WBO welterweight champion has outwitted and shut down much of the trash talk Devin has thrown his way. Haney’s technical prowess, defensive ability, counter punching, and footwork should give Norman Jr. a test he hasn’t really dealt with yet. There’s no question Devin simply might just outclass him.
With that being said, Brian is a dynamic puncher, who attacks the body well, has very good timing, a vicious right uppercut, and a devastating left hook. He also can strike through switching stances, which could be very helpful in possibly neutralizing Devin’s footwork.
For a fighter who has been known to be chinny in the past, Haney shouldn’t get overconfident in this one. If he tries to engage inside or as Lee said go toe-to-toe with Norman Jr. in the pocket for an extended period of time, he might be biting off more than he can chew.
#3. With stars leaving the division and welterweight now in a down period, can Haney-Norman Jr. be the spark 147 pounds needs?
Lee: This Haney-Norman Jr. fight can’t spark the 147-pound division on its own. There just aren’t enough strong names right now. Mario Barrios and Rolly Romero are recognizable, but neither is a true star, and Pacquiao’s best days are long gone.
The real boost would come from fighters like Teofimo Lopez, Subriel Matias and Gary Antuanne Russell moving up. As things stand, welterweight is thin and lacks the matchups that draw major interest.
Evan: I’m on the same page as Lee, I don’t really believe this Haney-Norman Jr. fight can fully revive what is a stale 147 pound division. But I do think it can at least give it a little bit of juice going into 2026 that it desperately needs.
Welterweight frankly just currently has no real depth or star power. It has become arguably one of the bleakest divisions in all of boxing. It seems like the division has been in a state of repair ever since the Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. showdown back in July 2023. Once one of the sport’s money divisions, the era of blockbuster matchups like Chavez-Whitaker, De La Hoya-Trinidad, Duran-Leonard, Mayweather-Pacquiao, seem long gone.
As Lee already perfectly stated though, the only way 147 pounds gets a true spark is if many of the aforementioned names above move up from 135 or 140 pounds. Unless a massive influx of fresh talent comes in, the chances of welterweight returning to its glory days anytime soon are very slim.
#4. If Abdullah Mason beats Noakes to win his first major title, can he become the breakout star American boxing needs right now?
Lee: Abdullah Mason is already a star, even without a title. He has a fan-friendly style, real charisma, and the résumé to match. At just 21, he’s 19-0 with 17 knockouts, and has already performed on major stages. This will also be his fourth fight of the year, showing how active and ambitious he is.
Now he gets fellow unbeaten Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight title. It’s a win that would make him one of the youngest champions in the sport. What stands out most is Mason’s willingness to face anyone… Even close friends like Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson, purely in the spirit of competition. There’s no question boxing fans should rally around him as the next great American fighter.
Evan: With how dire the current state of American boxing is, this should be a no brainer. Abdullah Mason is hands down the type of fighter the U.S. market needs right now. He possesses everything you want out of a potential star.
Mason is extremely skilled beyond his years. He has showcased some of the crispest combination punching you will see in the entire sport. Plus, he’s got good power and utilizes his length to his advantage when fighting on the inside or from a distance. For him to have a chance to become a world champion at just 21 years old, is a prime example of the generational talent he is.
Abdullah’s got here against arguably his toughest test to date in Sam Noakes. The opportunity could be massive for the landscape of the future of American boxing. He’s the kind of homegrown star fight fans in this country have been begging for and wanting to get behind. The sky is the limit for this kid.
#5. As Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez moves closer to becoming undisputed, which super fight is more likely, Nakatani or Inoue?
Lee: The most common answer is Naoya Inoue. But, I believe Bam shouldn’t jump an entire division to face one of the best fighters in the world. If Junto Nakatani stays at 118, that’s the matchup he should aim for first. Terence Crawford jumping two divisions to fight Canelo is different since he’s maximizing the end of his career. Bam and Inoue though, are both still in their primes and will naturally meet down the line.
Bam is already an elite offensive fighter, but improving defensively would better prepare him for those challenges. With Inoue and Nakatani targeting each other for a major undisputed fight in 2026, Bam likely faces neither next due to rematch clauses and circumstances beyond his control.
Evan: There isn’t a boxer who I enjoy watching more currently than Bam Rodriguez. I’ve been banging the table for him for years now. He’s such a rare and dynamic fighter that deserves way more attention. You’re looking at the potential Manny Pacquiao of this generation in my opinion.
I don’t really agree with Lee’s assessment though. Rodriguez doesn’t need to take baby steps into a fight with Inoue or Nakatani. He’s already proven himself against quality former champions like Carlos Cuadras, Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and Sunny Edwards.
The résumé Bam has put together at just 25-years-old speaks volumes to why he’s more than earned an opportunity at a super fight. I also don’t buy that the three pound jump in weight from 115 to 118 pounds is anywhere as difficult as Crawford going up 20+ pounds to face Canelo.
Although, I do agree that it’s not super likely he’ll face either Inoue or Nakatani in 2026. It looks like they’re being lined up to face each other instead. With Turki Alalshikh’s backing, both Junto and Naoya are slated to compete on the same card on December 27th.
This would give Bam time to finish his pursuit of becoming an undisputed champion at 115 pounds. Then, he can focus on fighting the winner at the end of 2026 or 2027.
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