In the first significant boxing fight of 2023, the middleweight division will see a sensational matchup as Caleb Plant takes on David Benavidez for the WBC interim super middleweight title. In a battle of two of the sports’ finest, Plant is angling to regain some of his lost championship gold since losing his IBF belt to Canelo Álvarez in November 2021. At 22-1, the 30-year-old is one of the toughest fighters in the sport with 13 knockout wins, including a dominating KO victory over Anthony Dirrell last October. Opposing the former champion is the current WBC interim champion, Benavidez. At 26-0, no one has been able to stop the “Mexican Monster” who also has accrued a fantastic 23 knockout wins.
For this boxing bout, SBS will be going over what to look for from each fighter along with more thoughts and information about boxing wagering.
A former Golden Gloves gold medalist at the light heavyweight level, Plant is one of the sport’s toughest fighters. Recognized as a top-three active super middleweight by multiple publications from ESPN to The Ring, this bout will be Plant’s first big shot at a title since he lost to Canelo back in late 2021. Known as “Sweethands” he is coming off a strong victory over former two-time WBC super middleweight champion Dirrell. In that fight, Plant knocked out the former champion with a devastating left hook in the ninth round and then proceeded to mime a “grave-digging” celebration over his fallen opponent.
Prior to losing the first bout of his professional boxing career, Plant had dominated his opponents, with no bouts ending in split-decision for the native of Tennessee. Indeed, since winning the IBF super middleweight title back in January 2019, he was able to accrue three separate title defenses, with two of those ending in TKO wins.
Coming off a win over David Lemieux, Benavidez is set for his first title defense of the WBC interim super middleweight championship. In that fight, the “Mexican Monster” dominated much of the action, scoring a decisive third-round TKO victory over the former IBF middleweight champion. Indeed, with an astonishing 23 victories by way of knockout, it would appear that the 26-year-old has a collision course with destiny as one of the sport’s best if he can keep up this ascent. In prior battles, he has bested former champions and title contenders like Dirrell in 2019 (TKO) and Roamer Alexis Angulo in 2020 (tenth-round stoppage). However, due to weighing in over the limit, Benavidez was stripped of his title.
A two-time WBC super middleweight champion, the native of Phoenix, Arizona holds the record for being the youngest super middleweight title holder in history (21 years, eight months). As of this article’s publication, he is ranked as the second-best fighter in his division by The Ring. With his last split-decision win coming back in 2017, this battle with Plant will certainly be his biggest test yet as he looks to continue his ascent to the top of the weight class.
Prediction: This fight will definitely be worth the watch as both fighters come in at the top of their game. Barring any unforeseen circumstances like trouble at the weigh-ins, this one should go down to the wire. That said, look for the younger Benavidez to outlast Plant in a great showdown.
Once you are all dialed in regarding this stellar boxing matchup, SBS has your back with a ton of great additional betting and gaming resources. For instance, if you need more information about the topic at hand, our boxing betting sites rundown has you covered. Here, you can find the latest betting markets pertaining to the sport along with the most updated lines as well. Moreover, if you are perhaps uncertain about which payment options are the best for you, do not fret as the SBS payment methods guide is a great page to peruse. On a final note, if you are also someone that is always on the go, the SBS best betting apps breakdown is a must-read resource. Here, you can find multiple tips and tricks regarding mobile betting and never miss out on the action.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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