By Dan Ambrose: Demetrius Andrade has called out Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant for a fight following his ninth round knockout victory over Anthony Dirrell (34-3-2,25 KOs) last Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
It’s unlikely Plant will agree to fight Andrade because it would be a difficult fight for him, and he’s trying to get a rematch with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
That would be another big payday for Plant, so it’s understandable why he’s moving in that direction.
It also makes sense that Plant will avoid fighters like Andrade, David Benavidez, and Jermall Charlo, considering that he could lose to all three.
Plant’s fight with Dirrell was a WBC 168-lb title eliminator, which makes him the secondary mandatory for WBC champion Canelo. David Benavidez is already mandatory for Canelo’s WBC title since last year, and he’s also the interim champion.
For some reason, the WBC hasn’t ordered Canelo to defend against Benavidez. At some point, the sanctioning body is going to need to order Canelo to defend against Benavidez because it’s going to look increasingly strange if the fight isn’t ordered soon.
If Canelo wants to vacate, then that’s his prerogative. Plant would then need to face Benavidez for the vacant WBC unless he decides he’s no longer interested in taking that avenue for a world title shot.
Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) was in the crowd last night to witness Plant’s victory over the 37-year-old Dirrell, and he says he’s moving up to 168 to go after Plant, David Benavidez, and Jermall Charlo in the short term.
‘Sweethands’ Plant, 30, was getting all he could handle from Dirrell through the first eight rounds before catching him with a left hook to the head in the ninth round that knocked him out.
Dirrell didn’t see the shot coming from Plant, who isn’t a big puncher, and wound up being put on his back.
While Dirrell was down, Plant did a classless move by pretending that he was digging a grave for him. The referee quickly stepped in and stopped Plant from making fun of Dirrell when he was on the canvas.
“We’re stepping up to 168. Listen, he went in there and had his game plan and strategy, and it took a long time. He finally found that spot. Dirrell wasn’t looking for it to come, and he caught him clean,” said Demetrius Andrade to Fighthype about Caleb Plant’s knockout victory over Anthony Dirrell.
“I thought it was going to go 12 for sure,” said Andrade when asked if he expected to see a knockout by Plant. “Yeah, I would definitely like that [a fight with Plant]. I want to get in the ring and get a little rust off and then, in 2023, get in there with Plant, for sure.
“I’m moving up to 168, looking to fight those guys up there. Charlo, Caleb Plant, David Benavidez. I’m looking for someone that is doing something at the elite level like myself, and that’s what we’re looking forward to. Becoming three divisional world champion, three times.
“The whole thing, the whole shebang,” said Andrade when asked if he wants Plant, Charlo, or Benavidez next. “Everybody up there. It’s a great fight. Andrade against any of the last names is going to be good. They’re all good stand-up fights,” said Andrade.
