News

David Benavidez Demands Canelo Fight After Battering Caleb Plant

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 26th March 2023.

David Benavidez and Caleb Plant Fight Video

David Benavidez grew into his fight with Caleb Plant in Las Vegas on his way to a punishing decision victory.

Plant started well, as most thought he would, in the twelve-round super middleweight contest for the WBC Interim title. His shot selection and movement around the 22-foot ring – one his team has put in a special request for – worked well against a patient Benavidez.

The Mexican would land, though, and that game plan paid off down the stretch. Plant’s ducking and holding worked less and less, and by the time the fight entered the second half, he was forced to trade more. It was here that the Mexican – and former two-time champ – came into his own.

With Plant slowed a little, Benavidez could showcase his fast hands and combination work. A cut above Plant’s eye was ruled from a clash of heads, but he was being hit and feeling it as the final bell closed in. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the action – a great spell for Benavidez – in the eighth to check the cut. He also didn’t warn Plant about holding, of which there was a lot.

Ultimately, Benavidez and his heavy shots paired with steam-building as the rounds went on won him the fight. No stoppage as many had expected, but Plant would have relished the sound of the final bell after showing great heart to stick around. A towel coming in during the final three wouldn’t have been a surprise.

The final scores were 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111 all in favour of ‘The Mexican Monster.’ Plant was humble in defeat, and buried and ill feelings that the pair developed over the course of the build-up.

“I take nothing from David. We haven’t been the best of friends, but we got in the ring and settled it like men, that’s what you’re supposed to do.

When the best get in there with the best, you roll the dice, somebody’s going to come up short. I’ve got in there and rumbled with the best in the world. I haven’t ducked nobody, and maybe we can have a rematch in the future.”

“David was the better man tonight and I take nothing from him. Congratulations to him and his family, he’s a hell of a fighter.”

As for Benavidez, he has his sights set on his 28th fight, and he wants his countryman in the opposite corner.

“I know I said we weren’t gonna end the beef, but we fought like warriors in the ring, and this guy [Plant] is a f**kin hell of a fighter. We gave the fans the best rivalry of the year, the best rivalry of the last five years.”

“I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez, but he has to give me that shot now. That’s what everyone wants to see, let’s get in the ring in September.”

The win does put Benavidez next in line for a shot at Canelo’s undisputed 168lb crown, although it’s unclear what the champion plans to do about a potential light heavyweight rematch with Dmitry Bivol – also targeted for September after a homecoming fight in Mexico with John Ryder.