On Saturday, in Saudi Arabia, there are four attractive fights on a potentially action-packed card. Sam Noakes takes on Abdullah Mason, David Benavidez meets Anthony Yarde, Devin Haney faces Brian Norman and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez clashes with Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez.
Here, the BoxingScene team shares which fight on the bill particularly catches their eye.
Tris Dixon: As much as I’ve wanted to see Bam vs. Puma, I love the styles clash between Benavidez and Yarde. Yarde has promised a shootout, and that’s probably his best chance as I don’t see him matching Benavidez for volume. And in order to not get run over by the athletic and heavy-handed Yarde, Benavidez is going to have to come out smoking. That’s why I’m picking this light-heavyweight clash over the others.
Lucas Ketelle: I am looking forward to the super flyweight title unification bout between Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Fernando “Puma” Martinez. It might not have the pre-fight trash talk, but it will pit two elite titleholders facing off against each other in their prime. This bout is also a lot closer than some might suspect. Though not the highest-profile matchup on the card, it could steal the show given that both fighters can box, have power, and are willing to throw punches in bunches.
Jake Donovan: As with every Riyadh Season/Ring show, the part I most look forward to is the aftermath when our staff and I can once again talk to the fighters. For actual in-ring activity, “Bam” Rodriguez-Fernando “Puma” Martinez is a fight in which I was fully invested from the moment Bam first entered talks with the unbeaten Argentinean earlier this year. It is far and away the best matchup on this card and criminal that it’s only fourth in the lineup. Also looking forward to Brian Norman Jnr-Devin Haney—mainly from the potential for Norman to become the breakout star his career deserves.
Ryan Songalia: Who’s got two thumbs and is most excited about the “Bam” Rodriguez vs. “Puma” Martinez unification fight? Apparently, most of my fellow panelists. While I may have been naive in thinking I’d be adding a contrarian opinion to this piece, it can’t be said enough how interesting a matchup that this fight is. Two undefeated fighters, both with legitimate claims to being the best fighter at 115lbs, with one fighter likely to be walking away with three of the belts. Rodriguez looks at times to be the most complete fighter in the sport, but sometimes you run into a tough, aggressive fighter who won’t take no for an answer, and the supremely skilled fighter has all kinds of problems. Will this happen? I don’t know, but I know I’m curious to see how this plays out.
Declan Warrington: David Benavidez-Anthony Yarde. Unless Artur Beterbiev’s taken the very best out of Yarde—and Yarde’s previously appeared the nature of fighter guilty of fighting at his opponent’s level—the ambition with which both can be expected to fight means this is capable of becoming a particularly absorbing shootout. Beterbiev-Yarde remains one of the most entertaining fights I’ve had the fortune of attending; Benavidez is considerably more flawed than Beterbiev, and Yarde’s self-belief has grown, regardless of his defeat that night, so it seems unlikely to go all 12 rounds. Brian Norman Jnr-Devin Haney and Abdullah Mason-Sam Noakes are capable of proving similarly competitive contests; and Jesse Rodriguez-Fernando Martinez will be similarly entertaining, but I consider Rodriguez the significant favourite to win.
Elliot Worsell: Benavidez vs. Yarde. He will start as an underdog again, but Anthony Yarde’s two previous world title shots – against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev – were two of the most compelling losing efforts I’ve seen in recent years. So, even if he comes up short for a third time here, it will no doubt be fun and highly watchable. Win or lose, Yarde fights the way you want a challenger to fight.
Owen Lewis: Norman-Haney has the best storylines, even if some of the anticipation turns my stomach. Haney looked so tentative in his last fight against Jose Ramirez; what is he thinking, challenging a better fighter and bigger puncher in Norman? Through no fault of his own, Haney’s stock has tanked since Ryan Garcia decked him three times with ostarine in his system. Beating Norman would redeem him in the eyes of the boxing world. But there’s also the danger that Norman could hurt him, badly—Haney’s never been particularly hard to hurt, even by lighter punchers in lower weight classes—or that Haney plays keep-away and clinches to an exasperating degree. Regardless, it’s probably the hardest fight to pick on the card, and the one with the greatest potential ripple effect.
Matt Christie: Rodriguez vs. Martinez. Out of all the headliners on this card, “Bam” is the one who looks to me the most likely to be a true generational talent. Martinez is a terrific fighter and just might give Rodriguez an argument. And it’s an argument, as in a two-way battle, that’s the only thing missing from the development of Rodriguez thus far.
Jason Langendorf: If I have to pick one, I’m most interested in not only the outcome but also the execution of Norman-Haney. A win over Haney would certify Norman, who has yet to beat – or even face – a former world champion. Will his power send Haney back to the moment of those Garcia knockdowns? Or does Norman overplay his (right) hand, giving Haney the perfect opportunity to do what he does best – catch an opponent with speed and counterpunching? From both a strategic and narrative perspective, it’s about as compelling a fight as we get at the highest levels.
