By Adam Baskin: Caleb Plant looks as ripped in the abs as Oscar De La Hoya ahead of his March 25th fight against interim WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez on Showtime PPV.
The six-pack abs that Plant has attained for this fight might not be enough against a young killer like the 26-year-old Benavidez. This guy is at his best right now, and it’s not just about money for him.
Benavidez lives & breathes boxing, and he’s not looking for a cash-out against Canelo Alvarez like some feel that Plant’s single-minded focus.
Being cut up probably won’t help Plant in this fight unless he’s thinking of entering a bodybuilding competition.
Benavidez is someone who will be hunting Plant down all night, looking to tear him apart, and he’s more of a head-hunter than a body puncher.
Unless Plant can transplant those abs to his head, he could be in for a long night against Benavidez.
Former IBF super middleweight champion ‘Sweethands’ Plant (22-1, 13 KOs), who is two fights removed from his disastrous 11th round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in November 2021, appears to have whipped himself in the best shape of his career for his fight against thee unbeaten Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs).
Plant obviously realizes that this is his last chance to punch his ticket for a second massive payday fight against Canelo. If Plant loses this fight, he can forget all about getting a mega-million purse from Canelo, and there’s no one else he can fight in the sport that will earn him similar loot.
That’s why the Tennessee native Plant is ready to walk on hot coals against Benavidez on March 25th at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas to try and get that second massive payday against Alvarez.
Rahman Jr in awe of Caleb Plant
“I got Caleb Plant. I think his skills, determination, and his strive to prove everybody wrong, his momentum right now, and his coach [Stephen ‘Breadman’ Edwards] is one of the most dangerous coaches in the game; I think he has the recipe to go and get the W. I’m taking Plant on that one,” said Hasim Rahman Jr to Fighthype, picking Caleb Plant to defeat David Benavidez.
“I remember watching Caleb a long time before he turned pro, and we were saying, ‘Damn, that white boy can fight. Not only mine but everybody at the tournament. Nobody thought this white body from Tennessee could fight. We thought he was going to get smoked in his first day.
“‘He’s about to get smoked,’ but he did it, and he’s definitely won national titles, and he’s won world titles. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s proved to not only the people way back in the day, but he’s also proven people wrong his whole career, and when he fights Benavidez, I believe he’ll come out on top.
“I know what Bread brings to the table. He’s top three in the game right now,” said Rahman Jr about Plant’s trainer Breadman Edwards.”He has a mastermind behind him. If he listens to Bread like he listened in the Dirrell fight, he’ll come out victorious.
“If it makes it that far,” said Rahman Jr when asked if Plant will have to hold on until the second half of the Benavidez fight. “We’re going to see. I think he’s going to test Benavidez, and Benavidez is going to test him.
“I think he’ll be surprised, and Caleb is known more for his speed, but I got him winning this one,” said Rahman Jr when asked if Benavidez would be surprised by Plant’s power. “He’s got what it takes to come out victorious.
“Don’t get me wrong. David Benavidez can definitely win this fight. It’s definitely not an unwinnable fight for him, but my pick is Caleb Plant, Team Plant on this one.
“That heart that kid [Plant] has got is amazing,” said Rahman.
