Canelo Alvarez predicts Caleb Plant won’t see the 12th round

By Boxing News - 10/15/2021 - Comments

By Matt Lieberman: Canelo Alvarez says the “insecure” Caleb Plant won’t see the 12th round when the two meet in the main event on November 6th. WBA/WBC/WBO super middleweight champion Canelo is battling IBF champ Plant for the undisputed championship on Showtime pay-per-view at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It means a lot to Canelo to win all four belts to become the undisputed champion in the 168-lb weight class because it’s never been done before.

Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) believes that Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) doesn’t have what it takes to beat him, and he already views him as his next knockout victim.

Plant has a decent chin, but he’s never fought a fighter with Canelo’s power or pedigree.

This is a big step up in class for Plant to be taking on the superstar Canelo because he’s been milking his IBF 168-lb title against weak position since winning the belt against Jose Uzcategui in 2019.

In Plant’s three defenses, he’s beaten Mike Lee, Caleb Truax, and Vincent Feigenbutz. Again, no attempt was made by Plant to fight an elite-level contender like David Benavidez.

Canelo predicting knockout of Plant

“I have more confidence, more experience. I’m a more mature fighter,” said Canelo Alvarez to ESPN when asked what he’s done to evolve over the years in the sport.

Image: Canelo Alvarez predicts Caleb Plant won't see the 12th round

“I’m going to win,” said Canelo when asked how he envisions his fight with Caleb Plant. “It’s not going to end to 12 rounds.

“So, a lot of things. I keep training in the gym and keep practicing and do my best,” said Canelo. “Because I love boxing. That’s the only answer I can do,” Alvarez said when asked why he’s been so active lately inside the ring.

“I love boxing, and I love to be in the gym fighting. And I love this. I understand almost everything in English, but I’m shy to speak in English.

“Whatever. I’m going to speak English. It doesn’t matter if I ruin it or not; I’m going to try.

“It means a lot. Golf, for me, is my best thing outside of boxing. For me, I play with my friends, and I practice every day with my coach, and I speak English with him. So it’s very important,’ said Canelo.

A knockout victory for Canelo is a reasonable prediction for him to make, as Plant has fought NOBODY during his career that comes close to the talent level of Canelo.

Plant has no experience 

Although Plant has had offers by David Benavidez for a fight, he never went for it. Thus far, the best opponent Plant has faced during his career is Jose Uzcategui in 2019, and he didn’t look great in that fight.

Plant gassed in the championship rounds after building an early lead against Uzcategui, and he was then hurt repeatedly in the later rounds after fading.

Canelo, 5’8″, isn’t as tall as the 6’2″ Uzcategui, but he’s capable of applying the same type of pressure on Plant that he did. Uzcategui was hurting Plant with big shots at medium to close distance.

Canelo will likely get in range to land his best power shots down the stretch with Plant and probably hurt him, especially if he empties his tank.

Ideally, Plant should have already proven himself against top tier opposition by fighting these guys:

  • David Benavidez
  • David Morrell Jr.
  • Carlos Gongora
  • Gennadiy Golovkin
  • Demetrius Andrade
  • Gabe Rosado
  • Edgar Berlanga

Eddie Hearn to attend Canelo vs. Plant

“It’s a weird one; it’s a brilliant fight,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Caleb Plant fight on November 6th. “Listen, I’m the biggest Canelo Alvarez fan there is, but a five o’clock in the morning pay-per-view fight for that one is a bit of a strange one. That’s the model PBC wanted to do with BT, so it is what it is.

“I can’t wait, great fight. A chance for him [Canelo] to make history. They’ve asked me to come. No one wants me there outside of Canelo’s team,” said Hearn.

“So I’m not there to cause aggravation. I’ll promote the fight for them if they want. I mean, I’ve got a pretty decent platform myself.

“I know it sounds cheesy but, it’s really like a team member [Canelo]. And I just think they want me there, and I want to be there.

“And I want to see him make history. I’m not trying to get my face on the camera, but I do want to go, and I do want to support him, and I’ll be there,” said Canelo.

Hearn will get a lot of attention sitting in the audience for the Canelo vs. Plant fight on November 6th. That’s going to be interesting to watch the focus that is put on him.

Hopefully, it doesn’t distract from the actual event, turning it into the Eddie Hearn show.

It wouldn’t be as much of a distraction having Hearn at ringside if Canelo were facing a more prominent name like Jermall Charlo,  David Benavidez, or Gennadiy Golovkin.

Those guys would be viewed as having a shot at beating Canelo, but you can’t say the same about Plant.

YouTube video