Against Plant, Canelo wants to make history
Alvarez is one win away from becoming the first Latin American fighter to hold all four world belts.
Argentina’s Brian Castaño (WBO) came very close to being the first when he faced Jermall Charlo (WBA, WBC, IBF) in a unification fight in the super welterweight division, but a draw left things as they were.
Now Alvarez, WBC, WBA and WBO champion, goes for his missing crown against American Plant, who holds the IBF-recognized title. It will be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and with a luxury team, headed by Renato Bermudez, Salvador Chave Rodriguez and Fernando Barbosa, the iron card, for which there are no courtesy rounds.
Canelo (31) comes into this fight in tremendous physical condition with a record of 59 fights of which he won 56 (38 by knockout), lost one and drew 2. Caleb “Sweethands” (29) has won 21 fights, all of them with 12 wins before the limit.
In any case, the promotion of the fight was boosted by the dispute between the two on October 6, at the press conference. Canelo -usually a very restrained man in his actions-, violently pushed Plant, forcing everyone inside so the fight would not start right then and there.
“I have never done these things, but this man referred to my mother in an insulting way. I understand that sometimes things are said to promote oneself, but there are issues that are very personal, like messing with one’s mother and then I reacted very badly,” explained the Mexican boxer.
Canelo’s last fight was on May 8, when he defeated Billy Joe Saunders in the eighth round in Miami; Plant made his last appearance on January 3 against Caleb Truax in Los Angeles, for 750 thousand dollars.
On this occasion, Caleb -who stands 6’6″ over the Aztec’s 5’7″ -, will take a minimum of $10 million, while Canelo will pocket $40 million. No more, no less. Added to the earnings from sponsors, the figure will be even higher for this “King Midas” of boxing today, who is independent of promoters, at the helm of Canelo Promotions. Among his income and activities are Canelo Energy and Canelo Store: a large chain of gas stations in the first case and clothing in the second.
This man, who as a child sold popsicles on the street and who one day promised his mother a “big house”, assures that on Saturday he will not fight for money but for glory. The goal is to make history and place himself among the greatest champions Mexico has ever produced.
In the previous fights, Anthony Dirrell will face Marcos Hernandez, Rey Vargas will face Leonardo Baez and Elvis Rodriguez will face Juan Pablo “Pivi” Romero.
An Argentinean, Gustavo David “Perrito” Vittori, will be part of the day, facing a difficult opponent as the Cuban Ranses Barthelemy (28-2-0, 14 KO), in 8 rounds at super lightweight. The fighter from Entre Ríos, who has fought in many scenarios around the world, has 25 wins (12 before the limit) and 9 losses.
In the meantime, what can we expect from the main bout?
It will be a fight in which Plant will try to take advantage of his longer arm reach, but we all know that when Canelo gets the short and medium distance, he is simply fearsome. Plant didn’t look convincing in his points win over Truax, but fights are fights and the American will be facing the biggest opportunity of his life. With Canelo applying pressure and Plant betting on the upward counterpunch, all indications are that the Mexican’s strength will be decisive.
Canelo is poised to make history. And that history will be made on Saturday in an evening and a telecast that promises to be, justly, historic.
