CALEB Plant was locked into fight mode and resistant to any form of banter during the final press conference for his semi-final clash with Jose Armando Resendiz on Saturday night. If Plant and rival Jermall Charlo get past their respective roadblocks, it is expected that the pair will face off at the tail end of the year.
Charlo must first negotiate a way through Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna and Plant via Resendiz for such a plan to come to fruition. Plant reckons his big fight experience will play a major factor in the Las Vegas meeting. Competing in world title eliminators for the past eight years, ‘Sweethands’ is used to taking part in contests that have massive ramifications.
“I think experience plays a big factor in every fight. And that’s something I’ve had, whether it’s me fighting against Canelo, fighting against David Benavidez, Anthony Dirrell, former two-time world champ, Jose Uzcategui, world champ, Caleb Truax, former world champ, ‘Porky’ Medina, who was a tough competitor. That was a title eliminator in 2017,” outlined the former IBF super-middleweight champion, before turning his attention directly to the affable Resendiz.
“I’m the biggest, baddest dude you ever fought. Ever. I’m talking to you. I’m the biggest, baddest dude you ever fought in your life. We’re going to find out.”
Grinning back at Plant, as the Spanish language interpreter relayed the growing animosity, Resendiz, 15-2 (11 KOs), didn’t dare disagree with his opponent’s assessment.
“You’re the toughest opponent I’ve ever had in my life,” he concurred. “You’re an elite fighter, a world champion. I’m not going to contest that. In fact, that motivates me, I’m already a winner being able to face off against the best like you.”
“You’re only a winner if you get your hand raised,” snapped back Plant, rocking a leather motorcycle vest from his new clothing line.
Unperturbed, California-based Mexican Resendiz has been preparing to overcome the experience gap by working on different looks in training, assuring he is ready for the best version of Plant, 23-2 (14 KOs), come fight night.
“I have a lot of different strategies, not just Plan A. If I have to go out there and brawl and be in another war, I will. If it’s a more tactical fight and I have to be more cerebral, I can do that too. All that matters is to get that win, period,” added Resendiz.
