British invasion: Who are the stars behind Anthony Yarde chasing light-heavyweight glory?

Anthony Yarde knows the drill by now. After all, you don't contest two world title bouts without learning the ropes of the razzle-dazzle that comes at the top of the sport.

But the star, who bids for a first crown tonight against at the third attempt against David Benavidez, will still have to find his way past those final stumbling blocks.

'The Beast from the East' packs only three losses on his resume, and two came in his attempt to dethrone both Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2023.

BUY NOW HERE: Ring IV live and exclusive on DAZN PPV for £24.99 / $59.99

Yarde will need to unpick one of the sport's top pound-for-pound operators if he is to finally make good on his promise - but he's far from the only countryman in the mix.

Here, DAZN News considers just which other stars could head up a British invasion at light-heavyweight in 2026 - and whether any of them can earn themselves a title.

Callum Smith

Currently the WBO interim champion, with just unified kingpin Dmitry Bivol above him, no British star appears better poised to get his hands on a major strap next year.

The former WBA super-middleweight champion has challenged for titles at this level before, suffering a seventh-round TKO defeat to Artur Beterbiev in January 2024.

But wins over Carlos Galvan and Joshua Buatsi have rebuilt his stock in impressive fashion. He's expected to face David Morrell next, but is firmly in contention beyond that.

Joshua Buatsi

Defeat to Smith at the start of this year was a major stumbling block for the previously unbeaten star, particularly as it was his WBO interim title that he surrendered too.

A prolonged wait throughout the rest of 2025 for a fight saw Buatsi finally get his chance against Zach Parker, but 'Just Business' looked far from his best earlier this month.

He took a controversial majority decision with a view to chasing the winner of Benavidez and Yarde's bout, but there surely must be improvement if he wants to thrive again.

Willy Hutchinson

The knotty cavalcade of British light-heavyweights can be laid out by the fact that 'The Hutch Train' was edged himself in a split-decision against Buatsi in September 2024.

That second career loss checked the momentum of a star who had his own designs on reaching the top, though he returned to winning ways against Mark Jeffers a year later.

The Scotsman remains a popular fighter who can draw bums on seats, and he holds a solid WBC ranking - but a title challenge would likely require victory over another rival.

Zach Parker

One of the more intriguing prospects here, Parker looked set to tee up a major bout in early 2026, if not a possible title shot outright, halfway through his bout with Buatsi.

But the decision went against him at the final bell, prompting fury from his team and leaving the star in pieces as he was left to wonder what had cost him his opportunity.

Parker should surely come again with a big name once the new year rolls around, and he is ranked with all four governing bodies. But his chance for a strap will likely wait.

Ben Whittaker

An Olympic medalist at Tokyo 2020, the star fights for the second time this year later this month, with a homecoming bout against Benjamin Gavazi at the end of the month.

A prize prospect for Matchroom, there are many who wonder if the star can turn his amateur pedigree into a title shot within the immediate future - but it's likely some time off.

Whittaker arguably still needs to test himself against some bigger names to enter the conversation, and will likely spend 2026 teeing up those tougher foes to prove his mettle.

Watch Ring IV Benavidez vs. Yarde live only on DAZN

David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde headline a star-studded Ring IV fight card in Riyadh this Saturday, November 22. Watch it exclusively on DAZN PPV for for £24.99 / $59.99

More information and to buy, click here.