Who wins Benavidez vs. Plant?
See what an assortment of top fighters have to say
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Whenever it’s fight week the one question asked above all others is, “Who do you like?”
And here we are during fight for the much-anticipated super middleweight showdown between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant, who will meet to settle their long-standing feud and for Benavidez’s WBC interim belt on Saturday night (Showtime PPV and PPV.com, 9 p.m. ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The PR team working on the event canvassed several fighters and a few other sports folks for their take on the fight. Here are their predictions? Leave your prediction in the comments section.
Jermell Charlo (undisputed junior middleweight champion): “I’m rocking with Plant. Plant has the boxing skills. Benavidez is just one-dimensional. He’s going to come forward and put a lot of pressure on Plant. But styles make fights and so this is going to be a good one. But I’m rocking with Plant.”
Brandon Figueroa (WBC interim featherweight titlist): “I’m rooting for Benavidez all the way. I see him knocking (Plant) out in the eighth or ninth round.”
Shawn Porter (former two-time welterweight titlist): “It's a 50-50 fight but I think Caleb takes it. Something's telling me Caleb is in the right place at the right time. I truly think he's going to break down David, and he's going to frustrate David. He's bringing a lot to the ring that David has never been up against. David's spoiled with his pressure. He breaks everyone down, but I don't think he'll be able to do that to Caleb, so I’m picking Caleb in a late-round stoppage.”
Amanda Serrano (undisputed women’s featherweight champion): “I usually don’t like to make predictions for fights. You just never know in boxing. However, I am going to make one this time for Benavidez vs. Plant. I really do like Plant. I think he is a really nice guy, great fighter. However, for this fight, I have to go with Benavidez.”
Rey Vargas (WBC featherweight titlist): “Plant-Benavidez will be a very even fight, 50-50. Strategy will be the key factor for whoever comes out on top. Plant has his speed and waist movement. Benavidez with his explosiveness and his strength. I truly believe it is 50-50. I have to lean on the Mexican side because of that strength and explosiveness.”
George Kambosos Jr. (former unified lightweight champion): “This is a 50-50 matchup. From my point of view Caleb Plant has had better experience and looks in great shape. We saw in his last fight he does have that nice snap, that power and he will definitely out-box Benavidez. I don’t think he will knock him out, but he can hurt him. I’m going with Plant on a close points decision.”
Caleb Truax (former super middleweight titlist): “This is a great super middleweight fight and a big win for boxing. I see it going similarly to Canelo-Plant. Plant will have success early due to his feet and jab, and then Benavidez’s pressure and power get him the late stoppage. I'm pulling for Plant to win, being that he is a former opponent of mine.”
David Morrell (WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight titlist): “It’s a 50-50 fight. Benavidez has power but he has never fought against someone with moves like Plant, who will make life hard for him with his speed. I would love to pick a winner, but I just can’t, considering how even this fight truly is.”
Andy Ruiz Jr. (former unified heavyweight titlist): “I got my money on Benavidez. He is just a bigger fighter, a stronger guy, ‘The Mexican Monster’. Nothing against Caleb. He is a warrior and we all risk our lives in the ring, but I just feel like Benavidez will be too much.”
Yordenis Ugas (former welterweight titlist): “I was initially going to say 50-50, but now I’m going to lean in favor of Benavidez, 55-45 in his favor.”
Vladimir Shishkin (super middleweight contender): “This is a great fight between two elite fighters in the division. I favor Benavidez, but Plant showed improvement after the Canelo fight and that means he is coming to win. I will not be overly surprised if Plant is able to score a points upset over Benavidez.”
Bob Santos (top trainer): “I think Benavidez vs. Plant is going to be a tremendous fight in the early rounds. Plant will be having some success moving and boxing, but towards the middle rounds Benavidez will take over and win the fight. That said, I think it’s going to be a tremendous fight and both guys' stock is going to go up.”
Stephen Jackson (former NBA champion/co-host of ‘All The Smoke’): “Plant is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career (over Anthony Dirrell). A big knockout after losing to Canelo. He’s in a good space right now. Benavidez has been looking for a fight. He’s one of the dangerous fighters around right now so it’s going to be a good fight. Caleb is still on his high and he has to win this fight to get back to Canelo. Benavidez has been calling out Canelo for years and this is a stepping-stone. If I have to lean toward a side because you put a gun to my head, I’m going to go with Benavidez.”
Paul Pierce (former NBA champion/co-host of ‘Ticket & The Truth’): “I’m going with Plant. That’s my man. I met Caleb Plant – I’ve sat with him at a fight and I had a moment with him so I’m going with Caleb Plant. I ain’t gonna lie though, Benavidez is a beast.”
DeMarcus Cousins (fourt-time NBA All-Star): “I do like Plant. I question his power, but Plant is a very skilled boxer. I don’t know though, I might have to go the other way with this one (and pick Benavidez). Benavidez is a monster.”
Results: 15 picks, 10 for Benavidez, 4 Plant, 1 too close to call
Benavidez photo: Esther Lin/Showtime
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Plant hasn't really fought many good fighters outside of Canelo. Dirrell is not the fighter of his prime and Uzgategui who Plant beat for his belt is not really a top fighter. In short I believe Plant has been overestimated. He does have some boxing skills but not at the level to give Benavidez any real trouble. I like Benavidez by KO before the 10th round. Benavidez is a well rounded fighter with big pressure , offense , and defense . He also has a good beard can take a punch well. Way too much firepower for Plant.
I'm rooting for Benavidez. But that huge 22 foot ring and David's typical plodding style has me picking Plant by UD. Chris Colbert would be wise to also take advantage of that same ring in his "Loser leaves Town" fight with Rayo Valenzuela.