IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant says he will become the division’s first ever undisputed champion in its 37-year history and not Canelo Alvarez.
Alvarez currently holds the WBA and WBC straps and will look to hold three of the four titles after facing WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders on May 8. That would leave Plant’s IBF belt to go after and an undisputed showdown looks possible for the second half of 2021.
“First [Canelo] has to beat Billy Joe Saunders in May. If he can get past him and get the belt, hopefully we can fight in September and give the fans what they want,” Plant told ESPN Deportes.
“It would be a historic night that will leave us as the first undisputed champion in the history of the super middleweight division and do you know who it will be? Caleb Plant.”
Plant, unbeaten in 21 fights, won his world title in January 2019 against Jose Uzcategui and has never looked like losing it since in defences against Mike Lee, Vincent Feigenbutz and Caleb Truax respectively. The 28-year-old has yet to have the breakout fight which would see him become something of a household name in the sport. Canelo, however, continues to take on all comers mandatory or not and Plant gave his thoughts on the pound-for-pound king’s last win against the underwhelming Avni Yildirim in February.
“Canelo stepped into the ring and did what he had to do, had a successful night and imposed his strategy. I think his opponent did not give everything in the ring, he did not take anything away from Canelo… when you remain on your seat in the third round, that is not giving 100 percent.
“At this level, if you want to become a unified champion, make history and get into the history books, you have to go out there and give it your all. I felt that he gave Canelo too much respect, maybe he was nervous, but in any case Canelo did his job.”