Teddy Atlas predicts David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde and Devin Haney vs Brian Norman Jr

Teddy Atlas has put forward his predictions for David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde and Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney, two of four world title fights that will take place on Saturday.

The card, which will be headlined by Benavidez-Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, also features two interesting matchups in Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez and Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Knox.

As far as the main event is concerned, many believe that the explosive styles of Benavidez and Yarde will likely steal the show.

Going into their light heavyweight showdown as a top contender, Benavidez was promoted from interim champion to full WBC champion shortly after Dimitri Bivol vacated his green and gold belt earlier this year. He is now pursuing a battle with the Russians for unification.

Prior to that, the 28-year-old had comprehensive points victories over David Morrell and Oleksandr Gvozdyk in just two rounds at 175 pounds.

Meanwhile, Yarde has previously contested world titles on two occasions, losing to both Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

In this particular clash with Benavidez, popular trainer Atlas opined on his YouTube channel that Yarde must get his man out of there in the early rounds, otherwise he risks falling under heavy artillery fire.

“With rain comes mud. And the potential mud, with Benavidez, is that when he rains all those punches on you, sometimes he’s vulnerable.

“If you punch him while he’s throwing, you can catch him. There will be spots, especially early, for the veteran and good player — strong puncher, physical — of Yarde… There will be opportunities to catch Benavidez and hurt him.”

He added: “Benavidez has a good chin and a great heart, but there will be chances [for Yarde] To do this.

“[If it goes late]I think Benavidez, if he succeeds with the physicality, the pressure, the volume, the explosiveness – he will wear Yarde down.

“At the end of the day, I would love for Benavidez to win [by stoppage in under nine-and-a-half rounds]”.

As for the welterweight showdown between WBO champion Norman and Haney, Atlas believes the latter’s technical prowess could see him pull off a convincing points win over his aggressive opponent.

At the same time, though, he equally acknowledges that Norman carries enough firepower to finish off a scheduled 12-rounder at any moment.

“Norman is the less experienced guy but he’s very explosive and very talented. I think he’ll go after Haney.” [which] I think he will give Hani a chance, stylistically, to be the best he can be – to be the Hani of old, not the Hani he got in there with. [Ryan] Garcia.

“It should be Hani who counter-punches, and Hani who makes you arrive. If so [version of] Haney, he won a decision over Norman.

“[But] If Norman hurts him the way Garcia did, the night would probably be over, because he’s a better finisher than Garcia.