David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant - A preview

Particulars: March 25, 2023, from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, it’s David “El Bandera Roja Red Flag” Benavidez, vs. Caleb “Sweet Hands,” Plant, Super Middleweights.

So, it’s Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury.  Wait, that’s over and done with. Editor John Raspanti perfectly encapsulates my feelings about that event, thegruelingtruth.com/boxing/the-fiasco-is-over-jake-paul-losses/. I’ll add - both Paul and Fury seem like much better people than fighters. Paul’s charitable work, in particular, is noteworthy.

Background: Where does the time go? How did we get from 18-year-old, 6’0,” intelligent, polite, David Benavidez, a brilliant prospect, to 26-year-old, 6’2” Benavidez, cussing, surly–if still intelligent?

Here was a guy I singled out as cut from old-school cloth, a dude in his young twenties, going places.

Drug busts and societal Covid ‘time-outs,’ happened. No mistake, the 26-year-old version of Benavidez has marked time–without a lot to show for it. Much of it is his fault, much not.

Caleb Plant, 30, casts himself as a fast-handed fighter who’s badly underestimated. Ridiculously, he also cites his race as being held against him–the last thing anyone needs to hear. The truth is, Plant is a solid mix of all-around skills. His KO of shot of Anthony Dirrell is not an indicator of a Mike Tyson-like future. He has an outstanding resume and his future is “right now.” He faltered in his only brush against the top dogs (Canelo Alvarez). Says here, he’s being chopped and stopped by Benavidez.

Fighters Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Caleb Plant: B B B C- B- B A Total: B- (2.9)

David Benavidez: B+ B+ B+ C- B B+ A Total: B+ (3.3)

Reality Check: I was so high on the 18- 21-year-old Benavidez, I was stoned. Seriously, I felt he was the guy with the skills and power to clean out the division and then go to higher weights, maybe even Cruiser, and clean those out too. He may still do just that. He has boxing skills galore and knows the game - having started so young – inside-out.

Benavidez has two cons: Skilled but slow, feet. Like Saul Alvarez, he knows where to put his big boots, they just don’t get there that fast. And – Benavidez’ 74” reach nowadays, is nothing to crow about. Someday, he may lose a fight solely due to this limitation. Plant has the same reach so it won’t happen in this bout.

The dark cloud hovering over Benavidez is Angel Heredia. The dude who assisted Marion Jones to the Olympic medals she was stripped of.

WAIT. That was Angel Hernandez, right? NOTE: Angel Hernandez and Angel Heredia are the same dude. Does any boxing fan who saw the physique of Juan Manuel Marquez that kayoed Pacquiao in 2012, not doubt that body? Hell, even Marquez never seemed to deny that his superhuman powers that night - escaped from the lab.

Benavidez looks huge–but one does grow in one’s 20s. It could well be that. But Heredia/Hernandez–call him whatever his name really is, is the smoking gun in the world of designer drugs. Read that sentence again, if you like, with ominous music in the background.

Let’s assume Heredia, like Victor Conte, is reformed and merely using his past, illicit expertise to legally, make Benavidez- even more fearsome. Okay–so what’s to like about David Benavidez?

. Panoramic understanding of the game. He was a truly outstanding boxer at 18.

. Smooth, flowing, combinations. Quick fists. Great power.

. Perfect transition from offense to defense.

. Natural aggression suits his style. This is not a dude looking to cruise to close, but clear decisions!

I could be wrong about Plant. Boxers, unlike wine, rarely get better with age. Plant at 30, shows zero signs of decline, but is not a prodigy like Lennox Lewis or Ali; one who can genuinely improve at about this age. He is what he is. A very skilled, all-around boxer. For me, yeah, the Dirrell fight was a mirage. Anthony Dirrell had simply grown old overnight.

Fight and Prediction: This one should bring an explosion of fists. Can’t wait! Plant will use his quicker movements and good hand speed and savvy to stay even with Benavidez early on. I think, though, Caleb will be caught as early as the second round with single shots. Tasting the legit Benavidez power, Plant will know his only hope is to stick and move. I don’t think he’ll do it. I think he hates Benavidez, and the feeling is mutual. Plant will box but also try to be the ‘puncher’ component of “boxer-puncher,” and will get kayoed.

Note; Plant insinuated without evidence his race was behind Benavidez’ filthy, verbal taunts. Nah. Benavidez, sort of shocked - to his credit, immediately said “who said anything about” (expletive) “that?” While I greatly prefer the friendlier, intelligent young dude, the foul-mouthed, fire-breathing Benavidez of 2023 was merely hyping the fight. Period. Bad on Caleb for accusing Benavidez of saying something he didn’t. Then again, anything goes in boxing, it seems.

Sooner than later, say in round 5, a left hook, or one of Benavidez’ quick, four-punch, inside combinations will clip and hurt Plant. Plant will remain on his feet through a couple more rounds and maybe have some moments, but will be blown away by single potshots from the Vegas resident. As both fighters live in Vegas, I mean, duh, it is Benavidez who’ll blow away a game, Caleb Plant.

Plant is then out of options at the top and will become a highly sought-after gatekeeper–the best. Benavidez – entirely without artificial aids, one hopes, will continue to terrorize the sport as he climbs through weight classes.

David Benavidez KO 9, Caleb Plant.