The path to undisputed is now nearing its conclusion.
After WBC and WBA Super 168lbs champion Canelo Alvarez added Billy Joe Saunders’ WBO title to his belt collection with an eighth-round retirement victory, the Mexican star immediately targeted IBF king Caleb Plant.
The unbeaten American holds the last remaining piece of the kingdom as Canelo seeks to become Mexico’s first undisputed world champion of the four-belt era.
A unification bout with Plant has been mooted for September and Canelo swiftly called him out after breaking Saunders’ eye socket and spirit with a brutal eighth-round assault that saw the Briton retire on his stool.
“[I want] Caleb Plant to go for the belt,” said Alvarez in the aftermath of his latest victory. “[Plant] is our plan. I’m coming. I’m coming, my friend. I hope that fight can be made.”
Much will depend on Canelo’s next promotional move. A short-term deal with Matchroom Boxing expired after the Saunders’ victory with Plant affiliated with Al Haymon’s PBC vehicle.
That didn’t stop Matchroom supremo Eddie Hearn beating the drum for a Plant fight in his post-fight interview with DAZN.
“We’ll speak to their team. It’s the must-make fight next. It’s undisputed. What else is Caleb Plant going to do?” said Hearn. One piece of the super-middleweight puzzle is left and few would bet against Canelo taking it