Caleb Plant Vs. Resendiz: Mismatch Or Upset?

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Caleb Plant makes his first defense of his WBA interim super middleweight title against the tough Jose Armando Resendiz this Saturday, May 31st, at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be shown on PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video.

This is a mismatch on paper, as Plant is a more experienced fighter with superior technical ability to school Resendiz. However, Resendiz’s youth and toughness make this potentially tough for the Tennessee native, Plant.

Ignored Title Defense?

Caleb’s fight hasn’t attracted much interest because it does not involve a notable contender. People have mainly ignored the fight and the co-feature between Jermall Charlo and journeyman Thomas LaManna.

Fans see this as a gimme for ‘Sweethands’ Plant, so he can keep winning. People are more interested in seeing Plant, 31, fight Edgar Berlanga, Christian Mbilli, David Benavidez, or Canelo Alvarez. If Caleb had his way, he’d fight those guys.

Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) needs an impressive win over Resendiz (15-2, 11 KOs) to stay in the hunt for a rematch against Canelo.

“It’s a means to get to a world title,” said Caleb Plant to Dan Rafael’s YouTube channel, talking about his reasons for fighting little-known Jose Armando Resendiz this Saturday. “I feel like I’ve paid a lot of dues in boxing, and I’ve always raised my hand to step on the frontline against whoever.”

None of Resendiz’s fights have been easy for him in the last four years, losing to Elijah Garcia and Marcos Hernandez. The battles that he’s won against Jarrett Hurd and Fernando Paliza have been wars. He didn’t look great in either one. His ability to absorb punishment and continue fighting got him through them.

If Resendiz can draw Plant into one of those types of fights, he might be able to outgun him based on youth. Caleb isn’t a spring chicken at 31, and he’s coming off a grueling clash against Trevor McCumby last September.

Plant’s Canelo Dream

“With the opportunity to become interim champion, knowing that I can fight to become regular champion, or worst case scenario, I might get elevated to regular and then be mandatory for the super title again,” said Plant. “Whether that’s Canelo or if he vacates it and retires, I fight someone else for it. The interim title, I’m grateful to have another strap, but it’s all about having more titles.”

If Plant is elevated to the WBA champion, it could prove to be a hot potato for him because he’ll have to deal with fighters like Bektemir Melikuziev, Lester Martinez, and Christian Mbilli. Those wouldn’t be for the same money that Caleb got fighting Canelo in 2021.

“He moved up to 168, and he does have a win there. It’s a big moment for him. So, I know he’s putting a lot into this,” said Plant about Resendiz. “It can be a life-changing moment for him, but it’s a life-changing moment for me, too, to retain my title and to hear the words, ‘And still.’”

Plant holds the WBA interim 168-lb title, not the one that counts. Obviously, he’s hoping this belt will lead to another lucrative payday against Canelo Alvarez. It’s doubtful Plant will get another opportunity to fight the Mexican star, scoop up $10 million plus once again. It’ll require a lot more for Caleb than beating Resendiz and Trevor McCumby to get a rematch with Alvarez.

“I know he’s coming with everything he’s got. He’s got a good trainer, Manny Robles. He’s tough, but tough ain’t enough,” said Plant about Resendiz’s trainer.

Plant might need to keep the action on the outside against Resendiz if he wants to win. The Mexican fighter has got good power in close, and he’s the much younger guy. Plant, 31, is an old 31, and has taken a lot of punishment in the last four years against Canelo. Alvarez, David Benavidez and Trevor McCumby.