David Benavidez and Caleb Plant are two days out from their highly anticipated contest on March 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and they are set to meet at the final pre-fight press conference today at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT.
This bout will not only settle the grudge between these two top ranked competitors, but will also decide who the true number one contender in the super middleweight division is, as they battle over Benavidez’s interim WBC strap.
While neither of the competitors currently hold a world title, interim aside, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KO) is a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, having held the belt from 2017 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2020.
Plant (22-1, 13 KO) is a former world champion as well, earning the IBF super middleweight title in 2019, before losing it to Caleno Alvarez in 2021.
Further to the ranking implications and interim title status, the winner of this match could very well force a mandatory title defense within the next year for the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez (58-2, 39 KO).
In addition to the captivating main event this Saturday, the undercard is also quite robust and is sure to turn heads:
- Joey Spencer (16-0, 10 KO) vs. Jesus Ramos (19-0, 15 KO) – Super Welterweight
- Chris Colbert (16-1, 6 KO) vs. Jose Valenzuela (12-1, 8 KO) – Lightweight
- Cody Crowley (21-0, 9 KO) vs. Abel Ramos (27-5, 21 KO) – Welterweight
Benavidez vs. Plant Final Press Conference Live Stream provided by SHOWTIME Sports
Follow the Live Updates below, beginning at 3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT, provided by FIGHT SPORTS
The former IBF super middleweight champ joins LT and BC!
.@SweetHandsPlant is NOT scared of @Benavidez300 power 👀 #BenavidezPlant | @lthomasnews @BCampbell pic.twitter.com/ryXoNEM0kb
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
David Benavidez sits down with SHOWTIME’s hosts, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell:
The ‘Mexican Monster’ is prepared to rise to the occasion 🙌@Benavidez300 | #BenavidezPlant@lthomasnews @BCampbell pic.twitter.com/Tvu3ahWD9d
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
These main event competitors are ready to go! Check out their heated face off:
The time for talking is OVER 🗣️
Only thing left to do is settle the score 😤
Order #BenavidezPlant: https://t.co/BYO7umAuMy pic.twitter.com/Vht6Cf2oZs
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Concluding the Q&A both former champions were asked what the fans can expect to see this Saturday:
“They’re gonna see me get my hand raised. That’s what I’m guaranteeing.” – Caleb Plant
“They’re gonna see me break Caleb Plant’s jaw on Saturday night. By the sixth round.” – David Benavidez
David Benavidez:
“We are ready to put Caleb Plant’s chin to the test.”
.@Benavidez300 & @SweetHandsPlant were asked to say something nice about each other 😬#BenavidezPlant pic.twitter.com/WwkAEN6qt8
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Benavidez questioning his opponent’s past achievements – and Plant is having none of it!
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🥵🥵@Benavidez300 @SweetHandsPlant #BenavidezPlant pic.twitter.com/yI4T7Lo2CI
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
David Benavidez:
“All the talk is done”
“He’s digging his own grave”
.@Benavidez300 says @SweetHandsPlant is digging his own grave 🪦#BenavidezPlant Press Conference: https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/0qRxMGqBcJ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Caleb Plant takes the podium:
“I’m the real deal, and you are going to find out this Saturday night, I promise you that.”
On Benavidez’s telling Plant that he is already on weight:
“I brought my mouth piece and my cup with me this week, but I don’t need a pat on the back for it”
“I’m the real deal and you are going to find out on Saturday.”@SweetHandsPlant 🗣️#BenavidezPlant Presser: https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/vsPg05grUW
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
INTENSE face-off between the PPV card openers:
Our opener is ready to steal the show 🍿 🔥@Crowley16LV @abelramosboxing #BenavidezPlant Press Conference ➡️ https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/cPYKr3vA7C
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Joey Spencer explains what the fight with Jesus Ramos means to him:
“I didn’t take this fight. I called for this fight. I made it happen.”@JSNation_ wants to show he is the top young star 😤
#BenavidezPlant Press Conference: https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/ZoDJrXoNIz
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Things are getting HEATED between Chris Colbert and Jose Valenzuela.
😳@_Primetime718 & @rayoboxing are fired up 🔥#ColbertValenzuela | #BenavidezPlant Press Conference: https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/5Rx4AXjqx1
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Cody Crowly lets us know who, and what, he’s fighting for:
“This is for you dad.”@Crowley16LV will step into the ring with a full heart 🙏 pic.twitter.com/C860Ia6RFt
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
“He’s in for a world of hurt. I’m like a steam train coming forward.” – Cody Crowley on Jesus Ramos
“He’s in for a world of hurt. I’m like a steam train coming forward.”@Crowley16LV is full-speed ahead 🚂#BenavidezPlant Press Conference is LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/PLsQ09z05h pic.twitter.com/BR1Ti0FONz
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023
Today’s hosts, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell of the “Morning Kombat” podcast, are ready to get things going!
.@lthomasnews & @BCampbell host today’s #BenavidezPlant finale presser conference 🎙
LIVE in minutes: https://t.co/vzWcO3Y60x@morningkombat @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/h5EfDwaFE5
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 23, 2023