“I’m Not Just in It to Get a Payday”: Caleb Plant’s Reasons for Pursuing a Canelo Alvarez Rematch
In November 2021, Caleb Plant’s undefeated streak came to a sudden halt when he lost his IBF super-middleweight title to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a dramatic eleventh-round TKO. Canelo’s victory crowned him as the undisputed champion, but for Plant, it marked the end of his reign as a world champion. Despite a challenging path since that loss, which included a tough defeat to David Benavidez, Plant, now 32, is determined to reclaim his place at the top of the super-middleweight division. He has dubbed his comeback journey the “revenge tour,” and it seems a rematch with Canelo is firmly in his sights.
Although the possibility of a rematch is uncertain, Plant hasn’t dismissed the idea. The fighter known as ‘Sweethands’ believes he’s “worthy” of another shot at the Mexican superstar. Reflecting on their first encounter, Plant insists that the fight was competitive until the fateful knockout.
“Who knows how likely it is [I’ll get a Canelo rematch], but I feel that it’s worthy, especially since we had a competitive fight the first time. It was probably 6-4 the first time going into the 11th. I feel like it’s worthy,” Plant shared during an interview with BoxingScene, highlighting his belief in the legitimacy of a second bout.
However, Plant is not one to beg for opportunities. His pride is evident as he discusses the state of the super-middleweight division. With rivals like David Benavidez and David Morrell moving up to light-heavyweight, Plant finds himself among potential opponents for Canelo, including Jermall Charlo, Diego Pacheco, and Christian Mbilli. This positioning makes a rematch with Canelo a real possibility, should the stars align.
“Who knows how likely it is [I’ll get a Canelo rematch], but I feel that it’s worthy, especially since we had a competitive fight the first time. It was probably 6-4 the first time going into the 11th. I feel like it’s worthy,” Plant said during an interview with BoxingScene.
Looking ahead, Plant is set to face Trevor McCumby on September 14, as part of the undercard for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga main event. Plant acknowledges that fighting on Canelo’s card could reignite discussions for a rematch. He’s quick to clarify, though, that his motivations go beyond a hefty paycheck. “It doesn’t matter where they put me. They can put me in the parking lot and we can fight. As you know, I’m not just in it to get a payday. I’m coming to fight,” Plant declared, emphasizing his genuine passion for the sport and his desire to compete at the highest level.
Plant also shared another compelling reason why Canelo might consider a rematch. He pointed out that Canelo, at this stage in his career, seems more interested in lucrative matchups rather than risking his legacy against dangerous opponents. Canelo’s recent decisions to price himself out of potential fights with elite contenders like David Benavidez and Terence Crawford suggest that he’s prioritizing financial rewards over challenging bouts.
Plant highlighted that their first fight generated significant pay-per-view (PPV) buys, making a strong case that a rematch could be equally, if not more, successful. He confidently stated that their 2021 fight garnered 800,000 PPV buys, surpassing the numbers Canelo achieved against other big names in the sport.
“With us getting moved to the Canelo card, it could spark those conversations for a rematch,” Plant stated. He emphasized that a potential rematch with Canelo wouldn’t just be for the paycheck but for his unwavering drive to compete against the best in the division. “It doesn’t matter where they put me. They can put me in the parking lot and we can fight. As you know, I’m not just in it to get a payday. I’m coming to fight,” Plant stated boldly.
“Canelo didn’t do that against Gennady Golovkin, Dmitry Bivol, or Jermell Charlo. We’ve done some good numbers, and I feel that I’m a good sell in boxing. I have a big fan base, and a lot of people tune in to watch me fight,” Plant asserted, making it clear that he sees himself as a valuable asset in the boxing world.
With Canelo Alvarez showing reluctance to engage in risky fights with opponents like David Benavidez and Terence Crawford, it’s apparent that he’s seeking less dangerous but still profitable matchups at this stage of his career. The question that remains is whether Canelo views Caleb Plant as a significant enough threat to warrant avoiding him or if he sees Plant as the type of opponent who could draw in fans and deliver a lucrative fight without posing too much risk to his legacy.
He didn’t do that against Gennady Golovkin, Dmitry Bivol, or Jermell Charlo. We’ve done some good numbers, and I feel that I’m a good sell in boxing. I have a big fan base and a lot of people tune in to watch me fight,” he stated.
Thombson’s Value:
Caleb Plant’s pursuit of a rematch with Canelo Alvarez reflects not only his desire to reclaim a world title but also his understanding of the business side of boxing. Plant’s candid remarks about his motivations and his assessment of Canelo’s current approach to selecting opponents offer a deeper insight into the complexities of matchmaking in the sport. This article provides a balanced view of Plant’s determination, Canelo’s career strategy, and the potential financial implications of a rematch.
