In a highly anticipated matchup, David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez and former world champion Caleb Plant squared off in a thrilling battle for the ages.
The bout, which took place on March 25, 2023, at PBC on Showtime PPV, saw Benavidez retain his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title with a bruising unanimous decision victory over Plant.
The fight lived up to its billing as a clash of styles, with Plant’s boxing acumen pitted against Benavidez’s brute force and high-volume power punching.
In the early rounds, Plant’s movement and sharp combinations kept Benavidez at bay, but as the fight progressed, Benavidez's relentless pressure and power began to take over.
Benavidez’s dominance was evident in the CompuBox statistics, where he held a significant advantage in power punches landed, out-landing Plant 180-68.
Despite Plant’s busier work rate, throwing 624 punches to Benavidez’s 551, he was unable to withstand the late-round onslaught from Benavidez.
Reflecting on the fight, Benavidez acknowledged the tough challenge Plant presented. "Caleb is a tough fighter. He’s not going to give you everything in the first few rounds so you have to find him," said Benavidez.
"But I feel like I didn’t just show that I was a power puncher tonight. I showed that I had defense and head movement and I was able to move around the ring and cut the ring off really good."
Plant, despite coming up short in the fight, displayed sportsmanship and respect for his opponent. "We came here and settled it like men. I take nothing from David," said Plant. "He’s a helluva fighter."
As the fight moved into the championship rounds, Benavidez’s aggressive approach began to wear down Plant, ultimately resulting in a busted nose for the former champion. Plant, however, showed tremendous resilience by staying on his feet until the final bell.
The post-fight atmosphere saw both fighters putting their rivalry aside and expressing mutual respect for each other. "I know there was a lot said between us but in the end we settled this like men," said Benavidez. "I’m happy we gave the fans the best rivalry of the year or the last five years. I’m just very happy."
Plant echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the essence of boxing and sportsmanship. "When the best get in there with the best, you roll the dice and someone is going to come out with their hand raised and someone will come up short," said Plant. "And one thing that I pride myself on is that I roll with the best in the world."
Looking ahead, Benavidez wasted no time in setting his sights on undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. "I just want to tell everyone that I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez but he has to give me that shot now," said Benavidez. "That’s what everyone wants to see. Let’s make it happen."
With both fighters showcasing their skills and sportsmanship inside the ring, the showdown between Benavidez and Plant will be remembered as one of the best rivalries in recent years.
As they move forward in their respective careers, the possibility of a rematch lingers in the air, adding another layer of anticipation for boxing fans around the world.
In conclusion, Benavidez vs Plant was a testament to the spirit of competition and sportsmanship in boxing. The clash of styles, mutual respect, and post-fight camaraderie between the two fighters exemplified the best of what the sport has to offer.
As Benavidez sets his sights on Canelo Alvarez and Plant looks to bounce back from this defeat, the boxing world eagerly awaits what the future holds for these two talented warriors.
