By Dan Ambrose: Chris Arreola is leaning in the direction of IBF super middleweight champion Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant to defeat WBA/WBC/WBO champ Canelo Alvarez in their undisputed 168-lb champion in less than three months from now on November 6th.
Arreola says he likes the “Sweethands” of the 28-year-old Plant, as well as his size, power, and boxing ability. Plant is younger, faster, and bigger than the 31-year-old Canelo.
This is one of the rare fights that Canelo has had during his career in which he’s facing a guy with technical skills on the same level, if not better, than him.
We saw what happened to Canelo when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., Erislandy Lara, Austin Trout, and Gennadiy Golovkin.
Canelo struggled against all four of those fighters and arguably lost to them but was given controversial decisions. Even in Canelo’s last fight against the past his prime Billy Joe Saunders, he was struggling against the British fighter.
Although the three judges had Canelo ahead at the end of the eighth round, many boxing fans had it knotted up four rounds apiece. Canelo’s anemic work rate allowed Saunders to stay even with him.
That’s something that won’t change for Canelo, as he lacks the stamina to throw more than a small handful of punches per round, which is why he loads up with everything he has when he throws his shots.
Arreola: Is Canelo taking Plant lightly?
“I’m taking Caleb [Plant],” said Chris Arreola to Fighthype in picking Plant to beat Canelo. “For one, he’s a big dude. He’s just as big as him. He has very good power, and he has good defense.
“Canelo has all of that. He’s basically the best fighter in the world right now, but what Canelo is going to come? What Canelo is going to show up? Is he taking Plant lightly?
“I know Plant isn’t going to take him lightly. Canelo isn’t going to take him lightly, but something about it tells me that he has that little thing that’s going to give it to him.
“I purposefully like his [Plant] ‘Sweethands’ and his boxing ability. He does have fast hands and good reflexes. I love Canelo. Canelo is one of the best fighters in the world, period,” said Arreola.
I wouldn’t say that Canelo is taking Plant lightly. He obviously is taking Plant very seriously, but Caleb’s boxing ability, speed, and size may ultimately be too much for Canelo.
What could hurt Plant’s chances of winning the fight is the lack of power.
Given that this fight is likely going to go to decision, Plant could be at the mercy of the judges on the night, and we’ve seen how it is to beat Canelo on the scorecards.
Canelo arguably should have five defeats on his record, but he’s lucked out with the scoring in these fights:
- Austin Trout
- Erislandy Lara
- Gennadiy Golovkin x 2
- Jorge Juarez
For Plant to win a decision, he may need to really dominate Canelo by making it so one-sided that the Mexican star’s popularity won’t blind the judges on the night.
De La Hoya wants Canelo to fight Charlo or Benavidez
“I want to see [Jermall] Charlo because I think Charlo just now earned his way to Canelo, just now,” said Oscar De La Hoya to Fighthype. “Charlo is one of those late bloomers.
“He’s a great champion; I love him. We [Golden Boy Promotions] built him, but there are fighters that kind of gain notoriety later on in their career. You have to really establish yourself, and he’s one of them.
“So, right now is the perfect time to make that fight,” De La Hoya said of wanting to set up a fight between Canelo and Jermall Charlo.
“If Canelo gets past Plant, whatever happens. I think he is, obviously, but I would like to see Benavidez. That’s a great fight. That’s a very dangerous fight [for Canelo]. Guys like that. Canelo keeps proving everybody wrong, so keep going, man. Keep going,” said De La Hoya.
Canelo might choose to fight Jermall Charlo at some point, but probably not David Benavidez. He’s too dangerous for Canelo.
