Home Columns David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant – Results & Post-Fight Report

David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant – Results & Post-Fight Report

Benavidez beats Plant to edge towards Canelo clash

By
Jonathan Nagioff
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David Benavidez overcame Caleb Plant by unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
David Benavidez overcame Caleb Plant by unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

David Benavidez called for a showdown with Canelo Alvarez after overcoming Caleb Plant by unanimous decision, following a dramatic clash in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) eventually broke down Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with a late surge of pressure to become the mandatory challenger to undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo.

Plant showed immense bravery and resistance to make it to the final bell after sustaining a deep cut to his nose amid the relentless onslaught.

It was the 30-year-old Las Vegas resident who made the brighter start, after the pair who shared a fiery build-up, refused to touch gloves when ordered to by referee Kenny Bayless at the start of the contest.

‘Sweathands’ used his superior footwork and lightning-quick hand speed to establish his rhythm in the opening few rounds and was proving a difficult target for Benavidez to pin down.

Plant made a confident start against Benavidez Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Plant made a confident start against Benavidez Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Plant was evading the 26-year-old’s attacks and landing well to the body and tying up his unbeaten rival in the clinches.

The Phoenix man was beginning to wrestle back control of the contest by the halfway mark, connecting to the body more frequently in a bid to slow down Plant.

The former two-time world champion had his best round to date by the eighth, hurting Plant with vicious combinations, as a cut on his nose opened up severely.

Benavidez sensed that his compatriot was fading and upped the ante further, connecting with 10 body shots in the 10th round, as Plant cut a frustrated figure.

The former IBF super middleweight world champion remained in the argument in the closing stages, but was always second best, despite his efforts to land a shot in the same vein which he knocked out Anthony Dirrell with in October.

Plant, who was stopped by Canelo in the 11th round of their November 2021 meeting, appeared on the verge of suffering a similar fate, but stood firm as Benavidez piled on the pressure with multiple left hooks landing.

The pair showed respect prior to the start of the final round, touching gloves before giving each other as good as they could in a frantic final three minutes.

Benavidez and Plant finally settled their grudge Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Benavidez and Plant finally settled their grudge Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

There was further respect at the final bell, with a long embrace and the bad blood very much settled after 12 gruelling rounds.

Benavidez successfully defended his WBC interim super middleweight crown and extended his unbeaten record to 27 straight victories, with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.

The Arizona native was quick to set his sights on Alvarez, who defends his titles on May 6 against WBA mandatory challenger, John Ryder in Mexico, which could be followed by a rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

“I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez, but he has to give me that shot now,” he told SHOWTIME.

“That’s what everybody wants to see, me vs Canelo, let’s make it happen in September.”

Plant suffered just the second defeat of his 24-fight professional career and showed his respect to Benavidez after the bout.

“David is a hell of a fighter,” he told SHOWTIME.

“It was a big rivalry, but that’s what boxing is about.

“We got in here. We settled it like men. 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.”

Ramos sees off Spencer

Jesus Ramos put in a ruthless display to halt the brave challenge of Joey Spencer, who was pulled out by his corner during the seventh round of their super welterweight battle.

Ramos (19-0, 15 KOs) floored the previously unbeaten Spencer (16-1, 10 KOs) with a left hook in the first round and continued to land at will on his rival throughout the bout.

With the 22-year-old unrelenting in his pressure, Spencer’s corner withdrew their man from battle.

Colbert secures controversial win over Valenzuela

Chris Colbert climbed off the canvas to take a contentious, unanimous decision victory over Jose Valenzuela.

Colbert (17-1, 6 KOs) was sent crashing to the canvas within the first 32 seconds of the opening round, after Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) uncorked a devastating left hook.

‘Primetime’ did well to recover and had to weather further storms, as Valenzuela poured on the pressure.

‘Rayo’ appeared to finish the stronger and seemed to have done more than enough to win, however all three judges scored the bout 95-94 in favour of Colbert, with the decision met with loud boos from the crowd.

The pair argued over the controversial decision in the ring and Colbert said he’d be open to a rematch, despite feeling he had won the fight.

The 26-year-old bounced back from defeat to Hector Luis Garcia with victory over Valenzuela.

Crowley edges past Ramos

Cody Crowley edged closer to a maiden world title shot after edging past former world title challenger, Abel Ramos (27-6-2, 21 KOs) by majority decision.

After a thrilling, back-and-forth 12 rounds, two judges gave the Canadian welterweight the nod by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 respectively to overrule one judge who scored the bout a 114-114 draw.

Crowley (22-0, 9 KOs) holds top three rankings in both the WBO and WBC.

Remaining Undercard

Elsewhere, Mexican super bantamweight, Kevin Gonzalez (26-0-1, 13 KOs) continued his rise with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Sanmartin (34-7-1, 21 KOs).

Meanwhile, Cuban welterweight, Orestes Velazquez (7-0, 6 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career, claiming a unanimous decision win over the experienced Marcelino Nicholas Lopez (37-3-1, 22 KOs).

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