By Matt Lieberman: A wild-eyed, extremely agitated Caleb Plant weighed in at 167 kilos on Friday on the weigh-in for his undisputed struggle in opposition to famous person Canelo Alvarez for Saturday’s headliner on SHOWTIME PPV on the MGM Grand Backyard Area in Las Vegas, Nevada. A extra relaxed-looking Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) weighed in at 168 lbs and seemed in nice form.
Showtime ensured loads of safety on the stage throughout the face-off between Plant and Canelo in order that they may keep away from one other mishap, as we noticed within the kickoff press convention final September.
IBF tremendous middleweight champion Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) appeared labored up emotionally throughout the face-off with Canelo, particularly when he was interviewed afterward by Showtime’s Jim Grey.
Whereas being booed the entire time, Plant seemed unbalanced and was disturbed by the gang, and had a bizarre look in his eyes.
This author has by no means seen a fighter with that form of look at a weigh-in earlier than. Hopefully, Plant can get management over his feelings on Saturday night time as a result of he’s not going to final lengthy in opposition to Canelo if he’s not considering clearly contained in the ring. Additionally, we don’t want the struggle to show right into a kicking, biting, or scratching affair.
“Completely,” stated Plant when requested if he likes to be the underdog for the Canelo struggle. “You possibly can cheer for him all you need, and you may boo for me all you need. Bear in mind, it’s simple to take a seat in these seats. It ain’t simple to face up right here, do not forget that,” stated an angry-looking Plant.
“Come on; that is what I do. I used to be born for this,” stated Plant when requested if he was nervous. “That is my future.”
Plant’s speak of “future” is one other oddity about his perception in going into the competition. If he believes it’s his “future” to win, you bought to surprise how he’ll react if he loses the battle.
Will be capable of come to phrases with what’s occurred to him or begin denying actuality, saying he was robbed, and start with the conspiracy stuff we typically hear from defeated fighters.
Naturally, Canelo is a big favourite going into Saturday’s struggle as a result of he’s the extra skilled man, and he seemed much more gifted. Plant has solely confronted one semi-decent opponent in his profession in opposition to Jose Uzcategui, and he struggled in successful that struggle.
The Canelo vs. Plant struggle winner would be the undisputed 168-lb champion, and that’s one thing that each guys worth. Canelo will transfer on, try to arrange an enormous struggle with a high 168-pounder or probably transfer as much as 175 to tackle one of many champions.
As for Plant, he hasn’t stated what he plans on doing if he wins. He’s saved issues near the vest about what he’ll do ought to he beat Canelo. A rematch could be one thing that Plant would discover, as he’ll earn more money combating Canelo a second time than he would by going through another person.
