Bad blood doesn’t always guarantee outstanding fights, but the quality of super-middleweights Caleb Plant and David Benavidez, who fight in Las Vegas this weekend, points to an all-action affair.
Both are former champions, Plant having lost his IBF belt to Canelo Alvarez two years ago – his only defeat – and Benavidez having been stripped of his title after testing positive for cocaine in 2018. He regained it, only to lose it again by missing weight ahead of his fight with Roamer Alexis Angelo in 2020.
The tension between the pair is palpable. Plant first got under Benavidez’s skin several years ago when he bought his domain name, stopping Benavidez from claiming his own name, and then slapping his brother in the gym.
The pressure has built in recent years, adding spice to what shapes as a fascinating fight, particularly as the winner will instantly appear on the shortlist to fight Alvarez, arguably the best boxer in the world.
Plant is a technical counter-puncher, sharp and solid, but he can also hurt his opponents, as he did in his last fight when he crushed Anthony Dirrell in the ninth round with an explosive left hook.
There are few secrets to Benavidez’s style. He’s aggressive and explosive, having put 23 of his 26 opponents to sleep. Yet for all his pressure, he can be one-dimensional, which Plant will be looking to exploit.
The two intend putting on a show. The real winners could be the fans, who already recognise this as one of 2023’s biggest, and best, fights.