In the first significant boxing fight of 2023, the middleweight division will see a sensational matchup as Caleb Plant takes on David Benavidez for the WBC interim super middleweight title. In a battle of two of the sports’ finest, Plant is angling to regain some of his lost championship gold since losing his IBF belt to Canelo Álvarez in November 2021. At 22-1, the 30-year-old is one of the toughest fighters in the sport with 13 knockout wins, including a dominating KO victory over Anthony Dirrell last October. Opposing the former champion is the current WBC interim champion, Benavidez. At 26-0, no one has been able to stop the “Mexican Monster” who also has accrued a fantastic 23 knockout wins.
For this boxing bout, SBS will be going over what to look for from each fighter along with more thoughts and information about boxing wagering.
A former Golden Gloves gold medalist at the light heavyweight level, Plant is one of the sport’s toughest fighters. Recognized as a top-three active super middleweight by multiple publications from ESPN to The Ring, this bout will be Plant’s first big shot at a title since he lost to Canelo back in late 2021. Known as “Sweethands” he is coming off a strong victory over former two-time WBC super middleweight champion Dirrell. In that fight, Plant knocked out the former champion with a devastating left hook in the ninth round and then proceeded to mime a “grave-digging” celebration over his fallen opponent.
Prior to losing the first bout of his professional boxing career, Plant had dominated his opponents, with no bouts ending in split-decision for the native of Tennessee. Indeed, since winning the IBF super middleweight title back in January 2019, he was able to accrue three separate title defenses, with two of those ending in TKO wins.
Coming off a win over David Lemieux, Benavidez is set for his first title defense of the WBC interim super middleweight championship. In that fight, the “Mexican Monster” dominated much of the action, scoring a decisive third-round TKO victory over the former IBF middleweight champion. Indeed, with an astonishing 23 victories by way of knockout, it would appear that the 26-year-old has a collision course with destiny as one of the sport’s best if he can keep up this ascent. In prior battles, he has bested former champions and title contenders like Dirrell in 2019 (TKO) and Roamer Alexis Angulo in 2020 (tenth-round stoppage). However, due to weighing in over the limit, Benavidez was stripped of his title.
A two-time WBC super middleweight champion, the native of Phoenix, Arizona holds the record for being the youngest super middleweight title holder in history (21 years, eight months). As of this article’s publication, he is ranked as the second-best fighter in his division by The Ring. With his last split-decision win coming back in 2017, this battle with Plant will certainly be his biggest test yet as he looks to continue his ascent to the top of the weight class.
Prediction: This fight will definitely be worth the watch as both fighters come in at the top of their game. Barring any unforeseen circumstances like trouble at the weigh-ins, this one should go down to the wire. That said, look for the younger Benavidez to outlast Plant in a great showdown.
Once you are all dialed in regarding this stellar boxing matchup, SBS has your back with a ton of great additional betting and gaming resources. For instance, if you need more information about the topic at hand, our boxing betting sites rundown has you covered. Here, you can find the latest betting markets pertaining to the sport along with the most updated lines as well. Moreover, if you are perhaps uncertain about which payment options are the best for you, do not fret as the SBS payment methods guide is a great page to peruse. On a final note, if you are also someone that is always on the go, the SBS best betting apps breakdown is a must-read resource. Here, you can find multiple tips and tricks regarding mobile betting and never miss out on the action.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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