Preview: Canelo vs Plant
Saul Alvarez takes on Caleb Plant in Las Vegas this Saturday night in a unification match for all four super middleweight belts. The animosity between the two rivals has played out in public in recent months making it very clear boxing fans have a real fight to look forward, with guaranteed action punctuated by punches thrown with vicious intent.
Saturday night is for all the marbles. Canelo, (56-1, 38KO), has long been known as leader of the pack at super middleweight, but capturing Plant’s IBF belt will solidify his status as undisputed champion. For Caleb Plant, (21-0, 12KO), this is his chance to upset the boxing world and beat one of the best pound for pound stars of the game. Achieving this however, will be a big ask, with Canelo being a far tougher assignment compared to his previous opponents .
Canelo is arguably the face of boxing to many fans. He’s one of the most dominant champions in recent years, losing only to Floyd Mayweather back in 2013. In the last five years he has beaten the likes of Khan, Golovkin, two of the Smith brothers, and Sergey Kovalev. In his last outing he deconstructed an undefeated Billy Joe Saunders, controlling the entirety of the fight before his foe retired courtesy of a monstrous and beautifully timed uppercut that fractured his eye socket. Canelo has the boxing brain to put you where he wants you, then break you down with thunderous shots.
Plant’s resume is far less decorated than his counterpart’s, but in his 21 fight career he has showcased that he is a durable, skilled fighter who possesses decent power with fast hands. He stands at 6’1” against Canelo’s 5’8” and mixes up his shots well behind a solid jab which could cause the unified champion problems. His most recent fights have been dominant victories, but due to his opposition being less noteworthy than Canelo’s, it’s difficult to gauge with confidence how much of a threat he poses.
Saturday night will crown the first unified champion in boxing history at 168lbs. This accolade, however, may not interest nor excite the purists who already acknowledge Canelo as the man to beat at super middleweight, regardless of who the IBF chooses to recognise. The main card though promises to deliver drama and passion in abundance, venomous blows, taunts and knockdowns between the NO. 1 and No.2 ranked fighters.
Tempers flare during the face off | Getty Images
The fight has generated healthy intrigue from boxing fans due to the antics during the build up. The showdown received an injection of interest following their infamous press conference scuffle last month, where a counter left hook from Canelo produced a cut below Plant’s eye. The scene not only revealed the genuine hostility between both fighters, it also demonstrated the superior reflexes and hand speed of Canelo. The brief brawl by no means signifies what will happen come fight night, but the fact Canelo landed a damaging blow with lightning fast accuracy from an attack with no prior warning will probably leave many believing Caleb will plant himself firmly inside Canelo’s highlight reel.
Fighters Form – Last Five Fights
Saul Alvarez
Billy Joe Saunders Win By RTD Rd 8 8/5/21
Avni Yildirim Win By RTD Rd 3 27/2/21
Callum Smith Win By UD 12/12 19/12/20
Sergey Kovalev Win By KO Rd 11 2/11/19
Daniel Jacobs Win By UD 12/12 4/5/19
Caleb Plant
Caleb Truax Win By UD 12/12 30/1/21
Vincent Feigenbutz Win By TKO Rd 10 15/2/20
Mike Lee Win By KO Rd 3 20/7/19
Jose Uzcategui Win By UD 12/12 13/1/19 Rogelio Medina Win By UD 12/12 17/2/18
Event Information
Date: November 6, 2021
Main Card Eta: 5 am (UK), 1 am (ET), 10 pm (PT)
Venue: MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Channel: BT Sport Box Office in UK, Showtime PPV in US
Elsewhere on the card
In the co-main event, former WBC champion Anthony Dirrell takes on Marcos Hernandez at super middleweight, ex belt holder Rey Vargas will battle it out against Leonardo Baez in a bantamweight showdown, and power punching Elvis Rodriguez takes on Juan Pablo Romero in a super lightweight contest.
Full Undercard
Anthony Dirrell vs. Marcos Hernandez Super Middleweight
Rey Vargas vs. Leonardo Baez Bantamweight
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Pablo Romero Super Lightweight