By Jeff Aronow: Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant seemed highly agitated and defensive during Tuesday’s Grand Arrivals in Las Vegas for his undisputed super middleweight clash against Canelo Alvarez this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
(Photo credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)
Plant says he’s going to be right in Canelo’s face all night long on Saturday. We’ll see if that’s the case but could have a quick knockout for Canelo if Plant chooses to stand and trade.
IBF super middleweight champion Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) said he likes being booed and having people against him because he’s motivated by that. However, Plant later sounded upset when told that the oddsmakers have him as a huge underdog in the fight with WBA/WBC/WBO champion Canelo.
“The oddsmakers can have me as an underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life, and I’ve been proving them wrong my whole life,” said Plant.
“Those are just numbers. They’ve been wrong before and they’re wrong now,” said Plant about the oddsmakers having him as a huge underdog against Canelo.
Plant hasn’t been the underdog in any of his past fights as a professional, so it’s unclear what he’s referring to when he says he’s been an “underdog” his whole life.
The 28-year-old Plant is an underdog against Canelo because he’s taking on the #1 fighter in boxing, but he hasn’t been in that position in his other 21 fights because his opposition has been lackluster.
If Plant had faced talented fighters like David Benavidez, Jermall Charlo, David Morrell Jr, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Artur Beterbiev, he would have been the underdog against most if not all of those fighters.
“I’m going to be right in his face,” said Plant about Canelo. “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, but that’s something I’ve carried with me my whole life.
“That’s I’m here. I like being the underdog, I like being here. I like people booing and I like people rooting against me.
“I love being in that position. The only thing better than proving people right is proving them wrong,” said Plant.
Plant needs to be tactical in this fight and avoid slugging with Canelo because that’s an easy way to get knocked out. Floyd Mayweather Jr and Erislandy Lara didn’t just stand in front of Canelo when they fought him years ago, and they had a lot of success.
“What do I think about him? [Canelo]. I don’t think much of him. My biggest motivation is becoming the first undisputed super middleweight of all time,” said Plant. “The way I’m going to beat Canelo is to be relaxed and have fun.
“I think so,” said Plant when asked if Canelo is overlooking him. “I can’t speak for him. The only thing I can speak for is myself and my team. It don’t look like any other fight but Canelo Alvarez vs. Caleb Plant
Canelo isn’t overlooking Plant, but he also isn’t viewing him as someone that he’s in danger of losing to. He knows he sees in plant, so that’s why there’s no worry from Canelo.
