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 combat was formally introduced.
Benavidez will defend the WBC interim 168-pound belt in opposition to former IBF titleholder Plant in the primary 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 shall be one of many obligatory challengers for undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, who knocked out Plant in the 11th round 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.
“Generally on this enterprise, to promote a combat, folks 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 it is going to be an unbelievable combat.”
Potential For Fireworks
The combat 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 most important problem they’ll as they appear 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 understood for his energy, and Plant for his supreme boxing acumen, each have proven their talents as well-rounded fighters in current 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 Could 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 a terrific evening 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 most important combat that could possibly be made within the division,” Plant mentioned. “This is likely one of the most anticipated matchups and I’m right here once more, exhibiting the world why I’m one of many greatest 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.”