The Mexican Monster, 28, stopped The Beast from The East, 34, in the seventh round of their bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday (22.11.25), and Benavidez has now revealed Zurdo, also 34, is next on his hitlist.

Speaking after the fight, he said: “I got some news for you guys. May 2nd, me vs Zurdo Ramirez, I’m going up to cruiserweight to challenge for his titles, so I’m excited for that.

“I think it might be in Las Vegas. Cinco de Mayo, see you guys soon.”

Ramirez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, having become a unified champion with wins over Chris Billam-Smith, 25, Arsen Goulamirian, 38, and, most recently, Yuniel Dorticos, 39, in June 2025.

Yarde’s loss to Benavidez was his third world title defeat, having previously been beaten by Sergey Kovalevm, 42, and Artur Beterbiev, 40.

Yarde applauded The Mexican Monster for his performance, calling him a “hell of a fighter”.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I knew how he was going to come, at the end there he just caught me with a good shot on my nose.

“I thought it was competitive. He's got quick hands, he caught me first, hit me with a good shot on my nose. I stuck in there, I'm a fighter.”

Yarde added: “He was just the better man tonight. Congrats to him. Congrats to his team. I’m just letting everyone know I’m good.

“Some people were worried because my nose was bleeding. Yeah, I’m good. I’m going to eat some good food, and go on holiday, and do some other stuff that I’m not going to mention.”

The Beast from the East’s trainer Tunde Ajayi admitted Yarde’s future is less than certain following his defeat, and admitted the team were disheartened by the result.

He said: “You saw why so many people don't want to fight him [Benavidez]. We’re all upset but it is what it is.

“The plan was to come on strong later in the fight.”