David Benavidez is not content with just beating Caleb Plant in their upcoming 168-pound pay-per-view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He has boldly proclaimed that he intends to inflict significant damage on his opponent.
Benavidez has stated, "I'm gonna break Caleb's jaw on Saturday night, by the sixth round." While this statement may contain some exaggeration, it is clear that Benavidez is trying to build hype for the fight and get inside Plant's head. Nevertheless, it is apparent that he has genuine animosity towards his rival and is likely to try to cause him harm in the ring.
Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) claims he has hurt everyone he has fought. He might be right. And he contends he’s better than ever.
No love lost between these two warriors 😤
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 24, 2023
Bad blood boils over in the MGM Garden Arena TOMORROW at 9PM ET/6PM PT on SHO PPV🥊#BenavidezPlant | @Benavidez300 | @SweetHandsPlant pic.twitter.com/XhQXWVNDQR
“Back in the day I hit hard, but I didn’t really train that hard,” he said. “Now that I’ve really prepared myself, I’m really dangerous and he should be worried.
“He definitely gave me the extra motivation because I really don’t like this guy and I want to shut him up. I’m definitely going to be pushing for the knockout every single round.
“… I’ve hurt everyone I’ve gotten in the ring with, and I can’t say the same for him. I guarantee I’m gonna hurt him.”
Genuine and mutual dislike on display at today's final press conference 😳#BenavidezPlant Saturday on SHO PPV: https://t.co/BYO7umAuMy pic.twitter.com/TVtq97JLO8
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 24, 2023
It's clear that Caleb Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) is not one to be easily intimidated by his opponents. As a former 168-pound titleholder, he's been in the ring with some of the best, including undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, who defeated him in the 11th round.
Plant, who was an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, believes that his skillset is superior to Benavidez's and that this will be the deciding factor in the upcoming fight. It's clear that he's confident in his abilities and will be looking to prove his worth against his fierce rival.
“I feel I’m the better boxer, I have the better IQ and I have more experience,” Plant said. “I have the better pedigree and it’s gonna show on Saturday night. I’m one of the best in the world at what I do.
“We’ve yet to see if he can perform at this level, but we’re gonna find out on Saturday.”
Who’s going to win?
“The fans are going to see me get my hand raised,” Plant said. “That’s what I’m guaranteeing.”
Well, something has to give.
Iron Mike x The Mexican Monster.#BenavidezPlant #Showtime #PPV pic.twitter.com/5T1kT5nOXg
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023