David Benavidez & Caleb Plant step into the ring this upcoming Saturday, March 25th, in a hotly contested middleweight affair at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. There is more at stake than just the WBC interim middleweight title, bragging rights amongst the PBC stable, an opportunity to land a big fight down the line, and putting a heated war of words to bed.
Fight week is when pundits, writers and commentators make their picks on who they feel will win certain fights of a big magnitude, Benavidez vs Plant is no exception. Several media personalities have weighed in on the highly anticipated middleweight contest, including ProBox TV's Claudia Trejos.
Claudia is a highly respected broadcaster, author and journalist covering sports, including boxing, for over twenty-five years. Her roles at ProBox include being a lead host on our soon-to-be-released video, talk and podcast content, and being a lead commentator for our Spanish commentary service for ProBox for our own in-house promotions and events.
Claudia gave her insight into the hotly anticipated contest between Benavidez and Plant, predicting a late stoppage for Benavidez.
Other media figures have also given their take regarding the contest, with many favouring Benavidez.
KEITH IDEC, Boxing Scene
“Benavidez by 11th-round TKO. Plant's intelligence, movement and skill will enable him to make the most of their fight competitive. The relentless Benavidez pressure and volume punching will eventually wear Plant down, though, and lead to a stoppage in one of the championship rounds."
ROBERT LITTAL, Black Sports Online
"I believe this is truly a 50/50 fight with an amazing clash of styles between someone they call the 'Mexican Monster' and the other they call 'Sweethands.' In the end I think Caleb Plant survives an early assault from Benavidez and uses the knowledge from the Canelo fight and puts on a boxing clinic down the stretch to win a unanimous decision."
GREG BEACHAM, Associated Press
"I like Benavidez by late-round stoppage. His toughest opponent has usually been himself, but I still think he can reach his full potential. Benavidez should be motivated by a talented, confident veteran opponent like Plant, who could easily take this fight if Benavidez shows up unfocused or unprepared. Benavidez's strength and talent are the determining factors for me in an excellent matchup."
MORGAN CAMPBELL, New York Times
"Benavidez by very close decision. Might be a split decision, might be majority decision, but I think he'll win seven rounds."
LARGE, Barstool Sports
"Although both fighters possess both attributes, I still see this one as strength versus speed. And Benavidez's power will get to Plant by the late rounds. Benavidez by KO Round 8-10.”
PAUL PIERCE, Former NBA World Champion and "Ticket & The Truth" Co-Host
"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."
KEVIN IOLE, Yahoo! Sports
"David Benavidez W12 Caleb Plant: I love the fight given the talent level of the two and the significance within the division. Plant has everything he needs to win this fight, but I see Benavidez as something of a sleeping giant. He has enormous untapped potential and I believe this fight is coming at the right time for him. I see it as a nailbiter that Benavidez pulls out down the stretch with crisp combination punching."
DAN RAFAEL, Fight Freaks Unite
"It's an outstanding matchup, but I think Benavidez will win. Plant is a good boxer but Benavidez is a brutal puncher with excellent power and an excellent chin. Plant may have some success boxing for stretches in a good fight, but Benavidez will break him down and stop him late."
DEMARCUS COUSINS – Four-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."
JOE SANTOLIQUITO, Ring Magazine
"I like Benavidez. I think he's simply too big and too strong for Plant. Benavidez knows the stakes and will come in acutely prepared. Plant will try to out-box Benavidez and get the fight into the later rounds, but with that comes some risk. Benavidez wins by late-round stoppage."
ADRIANA NORIEGA, Fox Deportes
"Benavidez vs. Plant is a great, 50/50 fight. Two contrasting fights that make for a very interesting clash. On one side, you have 'The Mexican Monster' with the physical advantages, power and aggressive style that defines him. I expect Plant to use his sweet hands, his timing, his speed and his footwork to potentially frustrate Benavidez. If the fight ends early, I expect Benavidez to win. If it goes to the judges, Plant has the better chance in my book."
MICHAEL ROSENTHAL, Boxing Junkie
"I have a lot of respect for Plant, who I believe is an elite athlete with an elite skill set. And he showed us against Anthony Dirrell that he's no slouch in the power department. I just think that Benavidez has too much firepower for him. He's an offensive juggernaut, a guy who breaks down opponents with ferocious, relentless pressure that has resulted in 23 knockouts in 26 fights. Plant will have some success early, but Benavidez will land more and more punches as the fight progresses and score a late stoppage. Benavidez KO 9.
ABE GONZALEZ, Big Fight Weekend
"David Benavidez versus Caleb Plant is a dream fight for the purist. I can see Caleb Plant frustrating Benavidez early with his boxing ability and movement. However, in the later rounds, after those Benavidez punches start to add up, he will slow Plant down and stop him around the ninth or 10th round."
