By Max Schramm: Eddie Hearn says the negotiations are still not done for the November fight between 168-lb champions Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant, but he’s hopeful that he can get it “over the line.”
Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn says this is the fight that Canelo (56-1, 2, 38 KOs) wants, and IBF super middleweight champion Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) wants it as well.
WBA, WBA & WBO 168-lb champion Canelo needs this fight with Plant to complete his goal of becoming the undisputed champion at super middleweight.
If he were to give up on his dreams of unifying the division, it would mean that he’d have wasted the last three years of his career winning titles at 168.
Canelo, 31, used up a lot of valuable time collecting titles from Rocky Fielding, Callum Smith, and Billy Joe Saunders in fights that the U.S boxing public wasn’t excited about.
Indeed, Canelo could have attracted more interest and helped DAZN bring in new subscribers if he’d fought opposition that the fans wanted to see him compete against like Jermall Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, Demetrius Andrade, Artur Beterbiev, and Dmitry Bivol.
Canelo vs. Plant NOT a done deal yet
“The fight’s not made yet, but I think it’ll get there,” said Eddie Hearn to the DAZN Boxing Show on the Canelo vs. Caleb Plant negotiations.
“I think that’s the one Canelo Alvarez wants, and I believe Caleb Plant wants that fight. Hopefully now, with a November date, we can get it over the line,” said Hearn.
You can tell by the way Hearn talks that he’s a little disappointed in Canelo’s decision to abandon his short-lived plans to move up to 175 to challenge Dmitry Bivol for his WBA light heavyweight title.
That was a fight that Hearn was trying to put together for September 18th for Canelo, but he oddly gave up on the ideal suddenly and said he wanted to restart talks with Plant.
That move by Canelo cost him his September 18th Mexican Independence date, which means that fewer boxing fans likely will see him fight.
Moreover, with Canelo electing to fight Plant on FOX Sports pay-per-view, it’ll be out of the price range for many fans, who don’t have the $75.99 to pay to see the fight due to the pandemic has left them with less expendable money.
Plant has nothing to offer Alvarez, says Sergio Mora
“I think Canelo is going to have problems with Plant, but because of Plant’s lack of experience at the big level,” said DAZN commentator and former junior middleweight champion Sergio Mora to K.O Artists Sports.
“[Jose] Uzcategui is the only fighter that is the championship level [that Plant has fought during his career]. His three defenses have been stopped, and we know that Canelo has the best resume in boxing.
“I think the experience is going to be a big factor,” said Mora about Canelo. “Plant’s not a big puncher, and Canelo is filling out nicely to super middleweight. I think Canelo dominates, but Plant gives him issues.
“I don’t know if Canelo knocks him out, but he hurts him, and that fight can go into the later rounds or the distance. But I don’t think Plant has anything to offer Canelo to win this fight,” said Mora.
Plant, 28, definitely doesn’t possess the power or experience to beat Canelo, but that obviously is a factor in the Mexican star choosing to fight him.
If this was the young lion David Benavidez (24-0, 21 KOs) that held the IBF 168-lb title, it’s safe to say Canelo wouldn’t be resisting the idea of fighting for the IBF belt.
David Benavidez will be dangerous for Canelo
“I think [David] Benavidez would be a fun fight while it lasts,” Mora said when asked who in or around Canelo’s division is his biggest threat or biggest challenge.
“I think Benavidez would be a dangerous fight for Canelo. Not only stylistically, but he has the hand speed. I think he has faster hands than Plant and combination-wise.
“He punches harder than Plant, and they’re the same size. Plant has better movement and keeps his distance better. Of course, if he [Canelo] moves up to 175. Pick any Russian or anyone there. [Artur] Beterbiev or [Dmitry] Bivol, you got beasts,” said Mora.
Without question, Benavidez is very dangerous for Canelo, which is probably why he hasn’t fought him all these years. The real test of whether Canelo is afraid of Benavidez will be given when becomes his WBC mandatory after fighting Jose Uzcategui.
