By Norm Frauenheim –
David Benavidez and Caleb Plant have run out of expletives. There’s not much left to say, although it’s certain they’ll still find new ways to insult each other.
But, at least, there’s finally a chance to deliver the last word — and perhaps punch — to their long-running exchange of trash-talk.
Finally, there’s a date.
Finally, we’ll hear an opening bell instead of some other four-letter word.
They’ll fight March 25 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand in a Showtime pay-per-view bout, according to Boxing Scene and ESPN in news confirmed by 15 Rounds.
The date is not a surprise. Both Benavidez and Plant have known for weeks that they would fight on the last Saturday in March. Not even an ESPN bout on the same night featuring ex-junior-welterweight champion Jose Ramirez in hometown Fresno against Richard Commey would change those plans. Their training camps have moved forward with March 25 built into the process.
The site, however, was uncertain. The super-middleweight bout had been shopped around. Dallas and Los Angeles were mentioned as possibilities. But Vegas was always there, the only place for the best 168-pound fight not involving Canelo Alvarez. More on him later.
Plant, a native Tennessean from Ashland City near Nashville, lives and trains in Vegas these days. But there’s no hometown edge there. Ask any gambler. Benavidez would probably have agreed to fight Plant at the Grand Ole Opry. He’s been waiting on Plant for years.
“For me, it’s personal, 100-percent personal,’’ said Benavidez, a Phoenix-born fighter who has been living and training in Seattle. “I’m really looking to beat the bleep out of him.’’
Expect a lot more bleep from both between now and the moment they walk down the aisle, up the steps and through the ropes.
For now, Benavidez is narrowly favored. Across multiple betting sites, he has been for weeks, a sure sign that the date has been a sure thing.
Within the ropes, interest in Benavidez and Plant has grown mostly because of Plant’s stunning stoppage of Anthony Dirrell in October. It was among the best KOs in 2022 Plant’s sudden flash of power – a left hook set up by a body punch — was a warning shot. His nickname is Sweet Hands, which had been another way of saying he could score but not stop.
But the flash of power against Dirrell might have sent a message to Benavidez.
Beware.
Benavidez is nothing if not aggressive. He moves forward, ever forward. That’s what makes him popular. But it’s also risky. It’s what could make him vulnerable to the very kind of shot that left Dirrell down and done.
The question is whether Plant can withstand Benavidez’ relentless power. It’s like one of those Pacific storms. It never stops. Perhaps, that’s why Plant demanded a 22-foot ring. A bigger piece of canvas might offer a few more escape routes.
Plant never could elude Canelo’s power, which proved to be lethal in the overall accumulation of punches that the reigning super-middleweight champion landed. He punished Plant, knocking him down twice and forcing a stoppage early in the eleventh round of a November 2021 fight.
Benavidez promises to execute a beatdown
“worse than Canelo.’’
Canelo, of course, represents a key comparison point. Plant has faced him, Benavidez has not. Plant has been there; Benavidez has not. That experience could be a tipping point in favor of Plant.
Canelo might also be there for the winner. The fight is supposed to lead to a shot to the World Boxing Council belt held by Canelo, undisputed at 168 pounds.
But the only sure thing is that Canelo will be a fundamental part of the sales pitch.
It’s not clear what Canelo will do. He’s coming off wrist surgery. He’s expected to fight a tune-up, perhaps against UK super-middleweight John Ryder, in May. But then?
Promoter Eddie Hearn continues to suggest that Canelo might get a rematch against Dmitry Bivol at super-middleweight instead of light-heavy. Bivol, the consensus Fighter of the Year, upset Canelo, winning a decision in May at light heavy.
“I’m gonna put my neck on the line and say that Canelo Alvarez will fight Bivol for the undisputed championship at 168,’’ Hearn told IFL TV this week. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but Dmitry Bivol is up for the challenge.’’
That would set up another long-running argument. At least, Benavidez and Plant are going to settle one.