Reflecting on the two experiences, Yarde said the difference wasn’t just power, but style. Yarde explained that Beterbiev was the heavier puncher of the two.
“I fought them at different times. It’s hard to say. They’re just different fighters stylistically. I’ll say Beterbiev was the strongest, the hardest [puncher],” said Yarde to talkSPORT Boxing.
Yarde added that Benavidez’s speed and output created different problems, even if he didn’t feel the same one-punch impact.
“Believe it or not, I’m in there with Benavidez, and he’s whacking [me], but none of these shots are really hurting me. [He’s got] very, very fast hands.”
The comments are notable given Benavidez’s reputation as one of boxing’s most aggressive pressure fighters. Yarde was knocked down in the seventh round of their November 2025 fight before the referee stepped in to halt the contest. Benavidez has since moved up to cruiserweight and added the WBA and WBO titles with a sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez last month.
Beterbiev has not fought since losing his undisputed light heavyweight championship to Dmitry Bivol in their February 2025 rematch. The 41-year-old former champion has repeatedly called for a fight with Benavidez, while Benavidez’s team has maintained that they are willing to discuss the matchup.
Yarde’s assessment will likely fuel debate about how a potential Beterbiev-Benavidez showdown might play out. Having faced both men inside the ring, he believes Beterbiev possessed the greater raw punching power, while Benavidez’s advantages came from his hand speed, pressure, and relentless work rate.
