Undefeated super middleweight David ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez 27-0 (23) wants a shot at undisputed 168-pound champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 58-2-2 (39).
The 26-year-old American outpointed former IBF champion Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 22-2 (13) by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
Plant, 30, boxed well early, but the ever-stalking Benavidez walked down his slick opponent, bloodying up his face as he came on late.
CompuBox statistics had Benavidez outlanding Plant 161-46 in rounds seven through to 12. They also had Benavidez landing 43% of his power punches in the fight.
The Ring magazine ranks Benavidez as the number one contender to Alvarez, as does the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
A match-up with Mexican superstar Alvarez would be a natural.
“I just want to tell everyone that I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez but he has to give me that shot now,” said Benavidez.
“That’s what everyone wants to see. Now the fans are calling for this fight, the legends are calling for this fight, so let’s make it happen!”
Alvarez already has his next date booked. He will take on John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder
As often happens in boxing, the bad blood between Benavidez and Plant was put aside in the aftermath of this fight.
“I know there was a lot said between us but in the end we settled this like men,” said Benavidez. “I’m happy we gave the fans the best rivalry of the year or the last five years. I’m just very happy.
“I knew I had to take it step by step and round by round. Caleb is a tough fighter. He’s not going to give you everything in the first few rounds so you have to find him. But I feel like I didn’t just show that I was a power puncher tonight. I showed that I had defense and head movement and I was able to move around the ring and cut the ring off really good.
“It’s a big rivalry but that’s what boxing is all about. We came here and settled it like men. I take nothing from David. We haven’t been the best of friends but we got into the ring and we settled it like men. That’s what you’re supposed to do. He’s a helluva fighter.”
Benavidez did however complain about Plant’s clinching late in the fight. It was nothing compared to WBO titleholder Lawrence Okolie against David Light in England earlier in the day.
“He didn’t give Caleb Plant no warnings the whole fight but it is what it is,” Benavidez said.
“I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez but he has to give me that shot now.
“That’s what everybody wants to see in September… I don’t think he’s trying to avoid me, I just believe he has a lot of options.”
