In November, David Benavidez and Caleb Plant introduced by way of social media that that they had signed for a high-stakes tremendous middleweight showdown. On Wednesday, the struggle was formally introduced.
Benavidez will defend the WBC interim 168-pound belt towards former IBF titleholder Plant in the principle occasion of a PBC card on Showtime PPV on March 25 on the MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Tremendous Middleweight stars @Benavidez300 & @SweetHandsPlant conflict March twenty fifth on @Showtime PPV. #BenavidezPlant 🎟️ presale tomorrow at 10AM PT: https://t.co/U7kh4mAWXe pic.twitter.com/kZcqcIr3VR
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 25, 2023
The winner will likely be one of many necessary challengers for undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, who knocked out Plant within the eleventh spherical to unify all 4 belts in November 2021. It additionally will settle the feud between Benavidez and Plant, who profess to dislike one another and have gone at one another verbally and on social media for the previous few years.
“Typically on this enterprise, to promote a struggle, individuals say it’s unhealthy blood,” mentioned Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter. “For this one, I give my private assure it’s actual unhealthy blood, and will probably be an unbelievable struggle.”
Potential For Fireworks
The struggle additionally figures to be a mesh of kinds between the aggressive, stalking, big-hitting Benavidez and the boxer-puncher Plant.
“David Benavidez versus Caleb Plant will see two fighters within the prime of their careers tackle the largest problem they will as they give the impression of being to go away little question about their legacy within the ring,” mentioned Tom Brown of TGB Promotions, the promoter of the occasion. “Whereas Benavidez is thought for his energy, and Plant for his supreme boxing acumen, each have proven their skills as well-rounded fighters in latest motion.”
Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs), 26, of Phoenix, a two-time WBC titleholder, received the vacant interim belt by one-sided third-round knockout of former middleweight titlist David Lemieux final Might however has not fought since.
“I can’t wait till they put me within the ring with (Plant) so I can beat his ass,” Benavidez mentioned. “That is going to be an incredible night time for boxing followers. I can’t wait to step in there and provides everybody the beatdown they’re coming to see.”
Plant (22-1, 13 KOs), 30, of Las Vegas, defended the IBF title thrice earlier than the loss to Alvarez. Plant returned from the loss 11 months later and scored a spectacular ninth-round knockout of former titlist Anthony Dirrell, drilling him with a clear left hook on the chin in October in Brooklyn, New York, within the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius co-feature.
“After I knocked out Dirrell, I made it clear I needed to go after the largest struggle that might be made within the division,” Plant mentioned. “This is without doubt one of the most anticipated matchups and I’m right here once more, displaying the world why I’m one of many largest points of interest in boxing. I really feel sharp and on level. I’m wanting ahead to March 25, not solely to provide the followers what they’ve been ready for, however to point out who the higher man is.”
