David Benavidez said he isn’t going to merely defeat Caleb Plant in their pay-per-view 168-pound fight Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He insists he’s going to hurt his rival.
“I’m gonna break Caleb’s jaw on Saturday night, by the sixth round,” Benavidez said.
Hyperbole? In part. Benavidez wants to sell the fight and get under the skin of Plant, who he seems to genuinely dislike. You can bet he really intends to harm Plant, though.
Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) claims he has hurt everyone he has fought. He might be right. And he contends he’s better than ever.
“Back in the day I hit hard, but I didn’t really train that hard,” he said. “Now that I’ve really prepared myself, I’m really dangerous and he should be worried.
“He definitely gave me the extra motivation because I really don’t like this guy and I want to shut him up. I’m definitely going to be pushing for the knockout every single round.
“… I’ve hurt everyone I’ve gotten in the ring with, and I can’t say the same for him. I guarantee I’m gonna hurt him.”
Of course, Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) isn’t going to be intimidated by anyone. He’s a former 168-pound titleholder, as is Benavidez. And he’s been in the ring with undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, who stopped him in 11 rounds.
Plant, an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, believes he has the better skillset. That, he said, will be the difference in the fight.
“I feel I’m the better boxer, I have the better IQ and I have more experience,” Plant said. “I have the better pedigree and it’s gonna show on Saturday night. I’m one of the best in the world at what I do.
“We’ve yet to see if he can perform at this level, but we’re gonna find out on Saturday.”
Who’s going to win?
“The fans are going to see me get my hand raised,” Plant said. “That’s what I’m guaranteeing.”
Well, something has to give.
[lawrence-related id=36246,36241,36237,36175,36155]