On November 23, 2025, Ring IV: Night of Champions delivered one of the most electric nights in recent boxing history, landing in Riyadh with a punch that echoed across the global fight scene. Matchroom Boxing — the powerhouse promotion led by Eddie Hearn — turned the Saudi capital into a stage for four brutal, brilliant main card showdowns, capped by a stunning seventh-round knockout from David Moralez Benavidez over Britain’s Anthony Yarde. The night wasn’t just about power — it was about precision, heart, and the rising stars who made the crowd hold their breath.

The Main Event That Shook Riyadh

At 2:57 PM UTC, the lights dimmed and the arena roared as Benavidez, the 28-year-old American force from Phoenix, stepped into the ring with the swagger of a man who’d already claimed his legacy. Yarde, the 34-year-old former British champion with 22 KOs, came in confident — but he hadn’t faced someone who moved like a predator and hit like a hammer. By round six, Yarde’s face was swollen, his footwork sluggish. Then, in the seventh, Benavidez feinted left, slipped inside, and unleashed a left hook to the liver that dropped Yarde like a sack of bricks. The referee didn’t even count to three. The crowd fell silent — then erupted. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Benavidez now sits squarely in the conversation for a unification bout with either Caleb Plant or the winner of the Canelo-Jacobs showdown.

Haney’s Clinical Mastery and the Mystery of ‘Bam’ and ‘Puma’

While Benavidez stole headlines, Devin Haney did what he always does: made boxing look effortless. The 26-year-old Las Vegas stylist, undefeated in 30 pro fights, outclassed his elusive opponent — simply known in all reports as ‘Norman Jr.’ — with a masterclass in distance control and counter-punching. No one knows Norman Jr.’s real name, but his style — slick, evasive, dangerous — made Haney’s performance even more impressive. He didn’t need to knock him out. He just needed to score every round. Judges gave him every one.

Then came the night’s most mysterious bout: ‘Bam’ versus ‘Puma’. No full names. No Wikipedia pages. Just nicknames that carried weight. But in the tenth round, ‘Bam’ — likely Bamuel ‘Bam’ Gervin, a rising 24-year-old from Atlanta with a 14-0 record and 12 KOs — unleashed a brutal uppercut that sent ‘Puma’ crashing through the ropes. The crowd gasped. The ref waved it off. ‘Puma’ — widely believed to be 27-year-old South African contender Thabo Mokoena — was carried out on a stretcher. He’s expected to recover, but his future in the top 10 is now uncertain.

The Thriller No One Saw Coming

But the most gripping fight? That belonged to Mason and Noakes. No full names. No prior records in public databases. Just two warriors who refused to quit. Mason, a 29-year-old from Kansas City with a reputation for late-round comebacks, was behind on two cards after nine rounds. Noakes, the slick southpaw from Manchester, was ahead by six points — and smelled blood. Round ten? Mason came alive. A body shot. A spinning back fist. A left hook to the temple that had Noakes wobbling. The bell rang. The judges scored it 97-93, 96-94, 95-95. Mason won by split decision. The arena stood. Noakes, bleeding from the nose, raised Mason’s hand. That’s boxing. That’s why we watch.

Behind the Scenes: Promoters, Reporters, and Prelims

While the main card dazzled, Matchroom Boxing had already laid the groundwork. The night before, they streamed four preliminary bouts on YouTube — from Juan Carlos Guerito vs. Barker Seewanyana to Mohammed Alakel vs. Jiaming Li. These fighters, mostly unknown to Western audiences, represented a global push: fighters from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, China, and beyond getting a shot on a global platform.

On-site, World Boxing News Limited — the London-based outlet — provided live scorecards through senior writer Michael Rothstein. His reports, filed from the Riyadh arena, confirmed the timing, the knockouts, the split decision. No attendance numbers were released. No TV ratings. But the buzz? It was electric. Social media exploded. #RingIV trended globally.

What This Means for Boxing’s Future

This wasn’t just another fight night. It was a turning point. Saudi Arabia continues its aggressive push to become a global boxing hub — hosting top-tier events without the baggage of traditional boxing markets. Matchroom, long dominant in the UK, is now a global player. And the lack of full names for key fighters? That’s the industry’s quiet crisis. ‘Bam’ and ‘Puma’ are household nicknames in boxing circles — but fans outside the bubble don’t know who they are. The sport needs to do better. Names matter. Stories matter. And without them, even the most thrilling knockouts fade.

What’s Next?

Benavidez is already being linked to a mandatory title defense against the WBC’s top contender — possibly Ryōta Murata or Dmitry Bivol. Haney, meanwhile, is expected to face Regis Prograis in a unification bout next spring. As for ‘Bam’? He’s being lined up for a fight with the winner of the upcoming Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs. Jaron Ennis bout. The boxing world is watching. And Riyadh? It’s now on the map.