David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant: Preview & Prediction  

David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant: Preview & Prediction     

By Rich Lopez

Not often in boxing these days, do we get a great main event along with a solid undercard. However, this Saturday on March 25th, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans will be provided with just that. The card is a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) event and will be available on Showtime Boxing PPV. Even though the card should not be on PPV, it is a good card to watch. The main event will be a grudge match between two of the top super middleweights in the world. The undercard will also be loaded with good fights.

“I’m gonna break Caleb’s jaw on Saturday night, by the sixth round.” – Benavidez

“The fans are going to see me get my hand raised. That’s what I’m guaranteeing.” – Plant

In the main event, David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (26-0) of Phoenix, Arizona faces off with Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (22-1) of Nashville, Tennessee. This is a long-awaited showdown, which should have happened some time ago, but we are glad it’s happening now. These two fighters are battling for the WBC Interim world super-middleweight Title, but most importantly, they are battling for the number one spot in the division. Both are former champions who are now looking to earn another title shot.

For Plant, he was the former IBF world super-middleweight champion. Plant captured the title back in 2019 and made three successful title defences. He lost his title back in 2021 when he was stopped by pound-for-pound King Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Since then, Plant earned his top spot in the division with a knockout of Anthony Dirrell last year. For Benavidez, he was the former two-time WBC world super-middleweight champion. He first captured the title in 2017, but he was stripped of the title in 2018 due to testing positive for cocaine. He then won the title again in 2019, but in his first defence of the title, he was stripped again for failing to make weight. So, in this case, Benavidez lost his titles due to his actions, and no fighter has beaten him.

During the last few years, these fighters have been on a collision course, and there is bad blood between them. The great thing about the fight is that both fighters are still in their prime and are willing to fight each other. Benavidez is the favourite going into the fight, and he will have the size and power on his side. Benavidez is looking to come forward as he usually does and take the fight to Plant. Benavidez is predicting he will stop Plant by the sixth round. However, Plant will be Benavidez’s toughest fight up to date. Plant is the more experienced of the two fighters, having recently been involved in that big fight with Canelo Alvarez. Plant is also the better boxer and is quick on his feet. Plant will be a live underdog, so don’t count him out.

Ultimately, I do favour Benavidez to win a competitive fight by decision or possible late-round stoppage. Once again, though, if Plant wins (most likely by decision), I would not be surprised.

Before the main event, there are three other fights on the PPV card that are solid.

The co-feature will be a battle of undefeated fighters as Jesus “Mono” Ramos (19-0), of Casa Grande, Arizona takes on Joey Spencer (16-0) of Fenton, Michigan in a super-welterweight fight. Both fighters have been featured on many PBC cards and are ready to take the next big step. It’s a good fight where both fighters want to prove themselves and are willing to risk their undefeated records. This is a good thing that more young undefeated fighters should be doing.

The other fight on the undercard is a fight in the lightweight division between Chris “Primetime” Colbert (16-1) of Brooklyn, New York vs Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (12-1) of Renton, Washington. This is a fight in which we will see who was not affected by their recent losses. Both of these fighters were undefeated at one time, and they both suffered losses last year. An interesting fight in which Colbert will be moving up in weight from super-featherweight to lightweight to challenge Valenzuela.

The opening bout of the card will be in the welterweight division. Cody “The Crippler” Crowley (21-0) of Ontario, Canada, takes on Abel Ramos (27-5-2) of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Crowley is a promising contender looking to advance higher in the welterweight division. Ramos is a former title challenger looking to get himself back in title contention again. Crowley looks good, but he will have his hands full with the battle-tested Ramos.

With a big boxing weekend coming, this is the card to look forward to the most from top to bottom.

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME