By Sean Jones: David ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez is predicting a sixth round knockout of Caleb Plant in his “coming out party” this Saturday night in their 12 round fight at super middleweight on March 25th on Showtime PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The time of the event is 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) will defend his interim WBC 168-lb title against Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) in a fight that could result in the victor challenging Canelo Alvarez next for his undisputed super middleweight championship.
“It’s a thinking man’s game. I’m a thinking fighter. I have a heavy IQ and a heavy bag of tricks,” said Plant.
“Now that he got the fight against Canelo, the next best fight in the division is me vs. Caleb Plant, and I’m just happy to make this happen for the fans,” said David Benavidez to ESPN.
“I’ve already been the mandatory for Canelo for the last two fights, so it’s my right to fight for this fight.
Benavidez to target Plant’s body
“His weakness is his body shots. I feel that’s his Achilles heel, and he showed that against Canelo. With me, I’m just a big puncher who throws punches in bunches and great body shots. I’m the most accurate puncher in this weight class.
“I punch at 46% in every fight, so that’s a very dangerous thing when you’ve got a big guy that’s a power puncher that throws punches in bunches and is very accurate. So I think I’m dangerous for anybody.
“Personally, for me, I wouldn’t be satisfied with my performance if I don’t get a knockout. That’s how deep this beef goes between me, and him. I want to make this guy pay for everything he said about me and make him remember me for the rest of his life.
“I know he’s a very skillful and talented fighter. That’s why we were very serious in this training camp. We trained for three and a half months. So I gave him all my attention. I know I’m 100% ready for this fight. So whatever he brings to the table, we’re going to be ready.
“I’m comfortable at this weight, but I feel like I’ve been campaigning at this weight for a long, long time. The only reason I stayed at this weight is that I’m only one fight away from fighting for all the belts against Canelo.
Plant vs. Benavidez, how to watch?
The Plant vs. Benavidez event will be shown live on Showtime PPV, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT this Saturday, March 25th, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“After I get this fight against Caleb Plant and after the fight against Canelo, then I think it’s time to go up to 175. I think this is definitely my coming out party. March 25th will be one of my greatest performances I’ve put through up until this date.
“The only way you can describe me is the name Mike Tyson gave me. I’m the ‘Mexican Monster,’ baby. I definitely think I’m the best pound-for-pound in the world. I just need the opportunity to prove it to the fans.
“I’m coming to do it in this fight, and I just want to get in there and prove it against the best super middleweights and light heavyweights in the boxing world.
“I feel in all the fights I’ve had, I’ve had it pretty easy. No one has made me bring out my defense and boxing skills. I can do it. I’ve been doing it my whole life. I’ve been boxing since I was two years old.
“This is why I want these opportunities against these other great fighters because I know that when the going gets hard and I get put in those tough situations that make me uncomfortable, the best comes out of me, and I can’t wait to prove it to the world on March 25th.
“I think I’m going to knock him out in the sixth round,” said Benavidez when asked for a prediction on the Plant fight. “I’ve been working extremely hard.
“This camp has been tough, but like I always say, ‘The camps are the hard part. Now it’s time for me to go out and have fun, and do what I love to do,'” said Benavidez.
