David Benavidez and Caleb Plant have danced around each other for far too long. Following years of curse-filled verbal tirades and public fulmination, the pair have reportedly signed their names on the dotted line to officially square off in the ring.
Oscar De La Hoya, however, is a bit lukewarm on their supposed matchup. While his heart fills with joy over the possibility of the world’s biggest and baddest 168-pounders swapping fists, he’s a bit skeptical that it will actually take place.
“I love the fight,” said De La Hoya to Fight Hub TV. “It’s a great fight, it’s a beautiful fight. Styles make fights. I’m a huge fan of Benavidez and Plant has a beautiful style but I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Initially, fans groaned loudly as Benavidez (26-0, 13 KOs) was originally set to take on Jose Uzcategui. Nevertheless, with their bout being pushed by the wayside, the 25-year-old happily accepted a matchup against Plant instead. For the former two-time super middleweight champion, his need to face the rest of his elite contemporaries was only accentuated following his recent run. In what amounted to his sixth consecutive stoppage victory, the Mexican star made quick work of David Lemieux, stopping the former champion in the third round earlier this year.
Plant, on the other hand, has fought more inspiring competition as of late. With one hand holding firm to his IBF super middleweight title, Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) attempted to become the division’s first undisputed champion against Canelo Alvarez in November of 2021. Although he enjoyed several moments of success, the newly turned 30-year-old succumbed to Alvarez’s relentless pressure in the championship rounds.
Though disappointed, Plant dusted himself off and made the long trek back to the ring this past October. With only two weeks remaining before Halloween, the former IBF trinket holder issued a ghoulish knockout against Anthony Dirrell.
While impressive, De La Hoya is putting no stock in Plant’s recent performance. After watching Alvarez floor his man on two separate occasions before sullying his record, the Hall of Fame fighter turned promoter views his upcoming showdown against Benavidez as one way traffic.
“Well, just based off what Canelo did to Plant, I've always said that Benavidez is probably the top dog at 168. The fact that he has a relentless style, the fact that he’s young, it’s going to be one of those tactical fights from Plant. He has a beautiful style but ultimately, I think Benavidez can just keep on walking him down. The youth and the power and the strength is gonna ultimately win that fight. If Canelo knocked him out, then Benavidez will destroy him.”