Caleb Plant is getting back his groove. The former IBF super middleweight has buried the skeletons of his career’s first defeat. Mexican Canelo Alvarez wrapped up his challenge by the eleventh round of their fight on 6th November 2021.

Putting his mind to rest, he returned all guns blazing. On 15th October last year, he knocked out fellow American Anthony Dirrell. With the addition of Stephen ‘Breadman’ Edwards as the primary trainer, the 30-year-old Tennessee native looks forward to another big fight. Admittedly, the new threat may not be as menacing as that posed by Canelo. But, with a stat as spotless as it comes, it is something he may want to take seriously.

When Caleb Plant had no answers to the Mexican wave

The year 2021 started on a high note for Caleb Plant. He retained his IBF title fighting against former title holder Caleb Truax. It was his third title defense. But by the end of the year, he was caught off-guard by a Mexican wave.

Read More: 5 Lesser-Known Facts About Caleb Plant

An obvious underdog against the best middleweight boxer in the world, Caleb managed to survive round after round of brutal punishment at Canelo Alvarez’s hands. Now, as he started to pick up the threads, Caleb attributes his development into a well-rounded fighter to new trainer Stephen Edwards and strong ties with his father. 

He told Fight Hub TV, “Me and my dad, Breadman – we’re working on a lot of things. Breadman has been a great addition to the team, great chemistry. He’s definitely adding his own spice and flavor to it, and it’s going well.”

The upcoming threat and Plant’s preparation

Keen to rekindle the rivalry with David Benavidez, Caleb could not afford to ignore the 26-year-old Arizonan. Boxing’s youngest super middleweight title holder stands second in The Ring magazine’s ranks. With an astounding 88% knockout-to-win rate, ‘The Mexican Monster’ remains an oddsmaker’s favorite any day.

Lest he forgets, during the last three consecutive fights, barring Ronald Ellis, David packed off both Kyrone Davis and David Lemieux before the fight reached the tenth round.

For Caleb Plant to win a unanimous decision, he must box, move, and stay on the outside, many experts believe. However, he appears confident and cites the example of Romanian Ronald Gavril. On 8th September 2017 and five months later, on 17th February 2018, the 36-year-old not only stood up to ‘The Mexican Monster’ but, on the final round of their first meeting, managed to send the latter to the canvas.

Who do you think has a chance in the Plant vs Benavidez fight? Let us know in the comments.

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