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Can Caleb Plant Become Champ Again?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated May 8, 2025 12:33 PM ET

Caleb Plant is still targeting the biggest bouts, but can he get back to big-time boxing?

Plant is the former IBF Super Middleweight Champion, a belt he acquired after beating Jose Uzcategui via a unanimous decision in 2019. Plant made three successful defenses of the belt before he lost his title to Canelo Alvarez. The loss meant Plant missed out on becoming the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion. Since then, he has gone on to secure two wins in his next three fights.

His only other loss during that period was to David Benavidez, who eventually moved up to become the WBC Champion at 175. Plant stopped Trevor McCumby in his last fight. However, it was not the most convincing performance as Plant hit the canvas in the fourth round. The win made Plant the WBA Interim Super Middleweight Champion, as he is in line for Canelo’s WBA belt. Plant will box Jose Armando Resendiz in his next fight on May 31.

Plant Reacts

Provided that he beats him, Plant wants another super fight against the winner of Canelo vs. Crawford. Plant talked up his chances against Canelo based on the Mexican’s performance against William Scull. Canelo beat Scull to become the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion for a second time. The performance was not the best since the fight had the lowest punch output based on CompuBox numbers. Plant felt Canelo may not be the same fighter who beat him in their clash.

“I feel like where he’s at in his career. I feel like he was almost at his peak when we fought. Maybe it’s a stylistic matchup with some of his opponents, or maybe he’s starting to get a little older. I can’t say. I think we’ll get a good reason that in September against a fighter [Terence Crawford] who is moving around and around all the time like William Scull.

“He’ll make Canelo fight, and I feel it’ll be a good back-and-forth. I came up short, but I used that as fuel on the fire and motivation. I went back to the gym. Some people lose and it shatters their confidence, whereas with me, I’m one step closer to what I want,” Plant said

If Plant cannot secure that fight, there will still be big fights for him against Jermall Charlo and Edgar Berlanga. Plant has a history with Charlo, as he slapped him over alleged disrespect he had shown him in front of his wife by pulling his beard. Berlanga has bashed Plant’s skills, setting the narrative for a bout. However, Plant must overcome Resendiz first.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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