They say it's personal: Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant throw hands

“I’m always ready. I just can’t wait. I feel strong and fast. With all of the talk, it’s become personal. He crossed a line. But I have to remain focused because this is a very important fight for me.”

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

“This is personal for me, but every fight is personal for me. I’ve sacrificed a lot for this sport and dedicated myself completely, so anybody who’s getting in the way of my goals makes it personal to me. No matter who it is.”

Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant

Last month’s press conference set the tone.

Caleb Plant was talking trash. Canelo Alvarez countered his words. When they faced off, the jabbering continued. Alvarez gave Plant a shove. The IBF super-middleweight champion came back at Alvarez, intent on laying one of his “sweet hands” on the dome of the WBA, WBC, and WBO titleholder.

Alvarez sidestepped the attempt and landed his blow below Plant’s right eye, drawing blood.

Each blamed the other. Some complained that the bout should be postponed. Not a chance. Most considered it an easy payday for Alvarez, but after the press conference, the interest heightened.

Showman P.T. Barnum allegedly said, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

Bad behavior in boxing generates interest. No one will remember if the fight is good. But that begs the question.

Will the Canelo Alvarez vs. Caleb Plant unification fight be memorable?

Alvarez, 31, is the number-one guy in boxing. Hell, most boxing fans know him simply by his nickname, “Canelo.” That says something about his popularity and - how polarizing a figure he is. Alvarez was last seen beating up Billy Joe Saunders. Saunders came into the fight cocky and undefeated. He left with his first loss and a caved-in face, courtesy of a wicked Canelo uppercut. Even though Saunders landed a few shots, which excited the DAZN announcers, and was somewhat competitive, I never for a moment believed he’d win. Prior to his victory over Saunders, Alvarez beat-up Callum Smith over 12 one-sided rounds.

Alvarez has lost once in 59 fights. He’s been fighting since he was 15. I remember watching his fight against Jose Miguel Cotto in 2010. He was buzzed in that bout but stopped Cotto. He knocked out the limited, but tough, Carlos Manuel Baldomir, and within months, picked up his first title by battering Matthew Hilton. He beat past-their-primes Kermit Cintron and Shane Mosley, and the much smaller Josesito Lopez. He edged Austin Trout, and then lost by wide decision to Floyd Mayweather. Alvarez learned a lot in that fight. So did future opponents. Movers cause him trouble. He was fortunate to be judged the winner over Erislandy Lara, but his improvement in each fight was obvious.

In 2017 and 2018, he threw hands with then-undefeated, and still feared, Gennadiy Golovkin. I thought Alvarez lost the first fight and maybe won the rematch.

Plant,29, picked up his IBF belt in 2019 by defeating favored Jose Uzcategui. He showed athleticism and a little power, flooring Uzcategui. He’s defended his crown three times against Mike Lee, Vincent Feigenbutz, and most recently Caleb Truax. Not exactly household names. Plant was not pushed in any of those matches. He’s undefeated in 21 fights and taller than Alvarez by a good three inches.

His resume is obviously lacking compared to Alvarez. But he’s talented, and he believes. Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward has been spotted at Plant’s camp, advising the underdog.

“I hope he has a good chin because he’s going to need it on fight night,” Alvarez said last week during a virtual press conference.

Plant believes he knows why Alvarez is annoyed.

“There have been some guys who lost before the bell even rang against Canelo. I think that’s why he’s so irritated with me. Some guys just come in and are there to hand over their belt, get their check and leave. Anyone who knows me, they know I’m only here for those belts.”

Oddsmakers have listed Alvarez a 10-1 favorite. Fights don’t happen on paper. Plant can box, and movers can give Alvarez issues. Never forget that before being knocked out in round five, Amir Khan was outboxing Alvarez.

Plant, a southpaw, is tall and rangy. To win, he’ll have to get the respect of Alvarez by popping him with shots that he feels. Alvarez will stalk and rock and work the body. His speed will be an asset.

I see a competitive fight in the early going. Plant will be there, but Alvarez will enforce his will and win by late stoppage, or decision.