No he was outboxed easily by Canelo a world class fighter who has gone up in weight. He lacks power, however his boxing ability is fantastic.
This. Plant comes in ready to fight and he can put a decent pace out there and is tough and has some boxing ability, but nothing stood out as spectacular at a world title level. Not offensive technique, handspeed, nor defense. He is very hittable and if he wasn't a marketable personality and a friendly face he wouldn't have gone to where he has. The guy is not a world championship level boxer but has found himself in a few AAA fights by this point. I would say he's maybe a blown up Malignaggi with more durable bones in his hands. Defensive minded guys that somehow get punched on a lot, who throw a lot of punches but don't stop many people, with some signature brutal beatings received in their biggest fights.
I think he was overrated before the Canelo fight. More right place at the right time. Now I think hes rated properly. Good contender.
Caleb Plants stock went up after his two high profile losses to the top two fighters in the 168lbs division, as well as his spectacular KO of Anthony Dirrell. He is e respectable and legitimate contender. Where does he go from here though, all roads lead to Canelo and Benevidez.
Caleb is the guy in the gym that is too busy trying to make his punches and movement look "pretty" and flashy, instead of trying to become a good fighter. Also i've noticed all that movement causes him to slow down and gas out in the second half of the fight, which is usually when he starts catching a beat down. He doesn't have much of an offense either.
He's solid. Top 5-10 in the weight class. Won some early rounds against Canelo, was beating Benavidez on the cards until the end of the 9th round. Annihilated Dirrell. No one's gonna really steam roll him at 168, especially in the first half of the fight. I'd like to see him vs BJS, Charlo, or Andrade. Its very possible he beats all 3.
I'd say he was pretty eager for the big fights he had. Doesn't give a crap about the o must not go, has the proper mentality that even Mike Tyson would admire: fight to elevate yourself/ others by fighting each other. As if one beatdown wasnt bad enough he (to quote Tyson) he fought till he couldn't physically push no more in the benevidez fight. He is definitely the first fighter that reminds me of the scene 15 to 20 years ago, when better matchmaking was the thing. A place where like Mosley could fight 20 something super fights, where Hoya could fight 25 something super fights, where Hopkins could make 40 plus defenses of his title. A time where Jones was forgot about. A time where Tito and Jones were pitted for a showdown. And also a place where winky wright s defense was tight as a virgin... I haven't seen too many fighters like this since then, that is why I admire Caleb plant. There are guys though that still stand out (for their bravery) but they still can't be included with the best of them. 140 was on fire back then. Nowadays it's a mythological weight class but hopefully not. It's changing as we speak, just not fast enough lol where you could plan it in your calender between your studies or what not. In other words good things take time to create. Then: Floyd, Gatti, bruseles, Cotto, Branco, maussa, Hatton, Harris, Utkal, Judah, and so on and so forth. Now: Haney, Abdil Walid, prograis, king Ryan, Te'o, kambosos, loma, . It's a good era but not all the fights have been made yet. I still have hope As far as 168 goes: I wouldn't care who Canelo fights next, he did it ALL already. He is entitled to cherry pick. Benevidez, go ahead, live your own life, live your own legacy. But hey, I'm not gonna complain if Canelo benevidez gets made!
He is a top contender who only loses to the elite of the division. He is no atg or anything but he is a world level dude who has done well for himself. I don't get why people are hating on him.
He exceeded my expectations that’s fs. I never thought he’d get a belt. I also thought Canelo and Benavidez were gonna steamroll him. I don’t like him or his boring pitty pat style, but you can’t deny that he’s not afraid of a challenge. He doesn’t have the power or gas tank to beat an elite fighter though.