Who wins Benavidez vs. Plant?

By Dan Rafael

Whenever it’s fight week the one question asked above all others is, “Who do you like?”

And here we are during fight for the much-anticipated super middleweight showdown between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant, who will meet to settle their long-standing feud and for Benavidez’s WBC interim belt on Saturday night (Showtime PPV and PPV.com, 9 p.m. ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The PR team working on the event canvassed several fighters and a few other sports folks for their take on the fight. Here are their predictions. Leave your prediction in the comments section.

Jermell Charlo (undisputed super welterweight champion): “I’m rocking with Plant. Plant has the boxing skills. Benavidez is just one-dimensional. He’s going to come forward and put a lot of pressure on Plant. But styles make fights and so this is going to be a good one. But I’m rocking with Plant.”

Brandon Figueroa (WBC interim featherweight titlist): “I’m rooting for Benavidez all the way. I see him knocking (Plant) out in the eighth or ninth round.”

Shawn Porter (former two-time welterweight titlist): “It’s a 50-50 fight but I think Caleb takes it. Something’s telling me Caleb is in the right place at the right time. I truly think he’s going to break down David, and he’s going to frustrate David. He’s bringing a lot to the ring that David has never been up against. David’s spoiled with his pressure. He breaks everyone down, but I don’t think he’ll be able to do that to Caleb, so I’m picking Caleb in a late-round stoppage.”

Amanda Serrano (undisputed featherweight champion): “I usually don’t like to make predictions for fights. You just never know in boxing. However, I am going to make one this time for Benavidez vs. Plant. I really do like Plant. I think he is a really nice guy, great fighter. However, for this fight, I have to go with Benavidez.”

Rey Vargas (WBC featherweight titlist): “Plant-Benavidez will be a very even fight, 50-50. Strategy will be the key factor for whoever comes out on top. Plant has his speed and waist movement. Benavidez with his explosiveness and his strength. I truly believe it is 50-50. I have to lean on the Mexican side because of that strength and explosiveness.”

George Kambosos Jr. (former lightweight champion): “This is a 50-50 matchup. From my point of view Caleb Plant has had better experience and looks in great shape. We saw in his last fight he does have that nice snap, that power and he will definitely out-box Benavidez. I don’t think he will knock him out, but he can hurt him. I’m going with Plant on a close points decision.”

Caleb Truax (former super middleweight titlist): “This is a great super middleweight fight and a big win for boxing. I see it going similarly to Canelo-Plant. Plant will have success early due to his feet and jab, and then Benavidez’s pressure and power get him the late stoppage. I’m pulling for Plant to win, being that he is a former opponent of mine.”

David Morrell: “It’s a 50-50 fight. Benavidez has power but he has never fought against someone with moves like Plant, who will make life hard for him with his speed. I would love to pick a winner, but I just can’t, considering how even this fight truly is.”

Andy Ruiz Jr. (former unified heavyweight titlist): “I got my money on Benavidez. He is just a bigger fighter, a stronger guy, ‘The Mexican Monster’. Nothing against Caleb. He is a warrior and we all risk our lives in the ring, but I just feel like Benavidez will be too much.”

Yordenis Ugas (former welterweight titlist): “I was initially going to say 50-50, but now I’m going to lean in favor of Benavidez, 55-45 in his favor.”