Recently, boxing enthusiasts and promoters were reminded of the dangers of scheduling high-profile fighters for tune-up matches before they face each other. This Saturday, Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo aim to avoid the same pitfalls as Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, with plans for a significant showdown later this year.
On May 2, Garcia faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of Rolando Romero, while Haney won a lackluster fight against Jose Carlos Ramirez. These bouts recorded some of the lowest punch outputs in CompuBox history, dampening the excitement for what was anticipated to be a thrilling rematch. This is the kind of risk that both Plant and Charlo face as they prepare for their upcoming fights, hoping to secure wins that keep the fans interested for their potential clash.
The anticipation for a fight between Plant and Charlo largely stems from an altercation that occurred during the weigh-ins for the 2023 bout between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford, where Plant slapped Charlo after a heated exchange, necessitating separation by security.
Plant (23-2, 14 KO), a former IBF super middleweight champion and the current WBA interim titleholder, will take on Jose Armando Resendiz (15-2, 11 KO) in the main event. Throughout his career, Plant has only lost to elite fighters, including a late TKO against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2021 and a decision loss to David Benavidez in 2023. Most recently, he rebounded by securing a 9th round TKO victory against Trevor McCumby last September.
“At this stage in my career, I consider myself a complete fighter,” Plant stated. “I have the ability to perform well at any range, and I’m confident in my skills.” He added that experience is crucial in boxing, emphasizing that he has faced some of the best in the sport and believes he is the strongest opponent Resendiz has ever faced.
Plant is a heavy favorite in this matchup against Resendiz, whose most notable victory came against a past-prime Jarrett Hurd in 2023. However, Resendiz was quickly defeated by Elijah Garcia in his following fight.
Resendiz expressed his determination, stating, “I’m incredibly motivated and excited for this fight. My team has worked hard, and I feel like the best version of myself.” Focusing solely on his performance, he added, “I’ll let my fists do the talking when the bell rings.”
