The “throwback” Anthony Yarde is relishing the prospect of travelling to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to challenge David Benavidez for the WBC light-heavyweight title, his trainer Babatunde Ajayi has revealed.

Terms have been agreed for England’s Yarde, 33, to enter his third world-title fight against the undefeated Benavidez on a date in November that is to be determined. 

The contest represents the first of the Mexican-American Benavidez’s reign as champion, and, following defeats by Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, both of Russia, Yarde’s first fight at world level since he so admirably tested Beterbiev in January 2023.

“The fight’s done,” Ajayi told BoxingScene. “We’re happy. Everyone talks and we stayed silent – it’s always been our playbook. We don’t talk until it’s happened. Yet again, Anthony Yarde is the name that brings the most attention. Everyone knows – this is going to be the fight of the century. I truly believe that. This is what dreams are made of. Every kid wants to go against the Mexicans; their heritage. David Benavidez is the guy that nobody wants to fight.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. Anthony, as I’ve always said, is a throwback. He’s always taken on the biggest challenges; that’s how you’re rated up there with the very best. He’s a fighter through and through. 

“He’s going up against a modern-day great. He’s always gone to another person’s backyard; fought the guy with a 100 per cent KO ratio. He’s always been the guy who takes on the challenges no one else wants to take. [Saul Alvarez] ’Canelo’, rather than fight this guy, fought someone else.”

The development follows the death, in June, of Yarde’s assistant trainer James Cook MBE following his struggles with cancer.

“Serendipity,” Ajayi responded when asked about the potential tribute to Cook. “This fight is going to mean a lot for us, and it’s a lot for James and James Cook’s family. It’s been a long time since we brought him into the camp. 

“James was a staple of our team – I learned so much with him, God rest his soul. It’s quite fitting. We are fighting a Mexican for the WBC title. 

“Lions in the camp. Let’s get ready to fight, ‘cause it’s gonna be a fight.”

Speculation had persisted that the 28-year-old Benavidez was on course to fight either Yarde’s compatriot Callum Smith or the IBF, WBA and WBO champion Dmitry Bivol.

Regardless of the IBF so recently ordering a fight between Bivol and Germany’s Michael Eifert, confirmation of Benavidez-Yarde unquestionably instead makes Bivol-Beterbiev III even likelier.