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David Benavidez & Caleb Plant
Media Workout Quotes
Undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion
David “The Mexican Monster’’ Benavídez and former IBF Super
Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant held separate media
workouts on Tuesday to preview their high-stakes, 12-round
showdown headlining live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March
25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event
presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Benavídez held his media workout at his gym in the Seattle
area, while Plant showed off his skills in Las Vegas with
just over a week until they meet in the ring on fight night.
Benavidez was joined by stablemate and lightweight contender
Jose Valenzuela, who faces Chris Colbert on the pay-per-view
undercard, and his father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr at
Benavidez Sports Boxing Gym in Burien, Washington. Plant’s
workout also included his renowned trainer Stephen
“Breadman” Edwards as they hosted media at DLX Boxing in
Plant’s adopted hometown of Las Vegas.
Here is what the workout participants had to say Tuesday:
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“Some people don’t understand that I’m the most accurate
puncher in this weight class. I’ve had 23 knockouts in 26
fights. I’ve hurt every man I’ve been in the ring with and
Caleb Plant is no different.
“You can see that every time Caleb is in the ring with a
power puncher, he’s not comfortable. He beat Jose Uzcategui
but he was hurt in the fight and then Canelo hurt him. Even
Anthony Dirrell hit him with good shots, and he’s not a
hitter like that.
“I’ve got the power and I feel like I’m faster. I just have
to get my feet in the right position, because he’s going to
be moving a lot. I think he has a little bit more confidence
after beating Dirrell though, so we’ll see if he wants to
trade with me.
“Every time I step into this gym I give my all. I’ve got a
great team here with me. Everybody has done their part and
made me feel comfortable. I’m just so motivated by the
people who think that I can’t handle a boxer and I’m ready
to prove them wrong.
“I’m a big guy and I throw punches in bunches. I’m ready to
mix it up in there. Every question you all have will be
answered on March 25.
“My jab is better than Caleb’s. He doesn’t really have a
power jab, but I hurt people with my jab. I’ve cut eyelids
open with it. I’m very comfortable in there. At the end of
the day, what is he gonna do when he has to sit there and
fight? I’m gonna get him on the ropes. It’s a matter of
when, not if.
“Emotion, especially anger, is a great motivator to train.
The people who are telling me not to be emotional, haven’t
laced up the gloves before. I couldn’t be more ready. I
leave all my emotions outside of the ring when it’s time to
go to work.
“This is pay-per-view and we’re giving the people what they
want to see. I’m ready to give the people whatever they
want. This is the most confident I’ve ever been because this
is the hardest I’ve ever worked. That’s why I’ve been
calling for these big fights, because I’ve known since I was
a little kid sparring world champions that when I’m put in
an uncomfortable situation, the best comes out of me.”
CALEB PLANT
“The key to this fight is just being myself. That’s what’s
getting my hand raised. I’m hungry for this. This is a big
moment and a moment I’ve worked a long time to reach. I’m
going to make the most of it.
“I feel really good. Last camp we brought in ‘Breadman’ and
we had a lot of great chemistry with the whole team. He’s
easy to get along with and he just expects me to work hard.
That’s right up our alley and that’s what we like to do. He
brought some of that Philly grit with him and helped
reiterate a lot of things that my dad [co-trainer Richie
Plant] had been trying to instill in me.
“Different people handle things in different ways. I’m cool,
calm and collected. I’m focused and I’ve had a great camp.
We’re going into this fight 100%. I can only speak for my
team, but we’re ready to handle business.
“If Benavidez wants to come forward, then he should just
handle his business how he sees fit. That’s what I’m going
to do on March 25. We’re going to get in there, roll the
dice and see what happens.
“My power has always been there but I’ve been getting more
back to my roots. ‘Breadman’ and my dad have a lot of
similarities in how they want me to box and train. With some
of it, I’m getting back to my old ways, but it’s combined
with the new things that ‘Breadman’ is bringing to the table
and teaching me.
“This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in
boxing and I’m just looking forward to everyone being a part
of it.
“I’d love to right a wrong and get the rematch with Canelo
Alvarez, but right now I’m just focused on the fight in
front of me. Nothing happens until business is handled March
25.”
JOSE VALENZUELA
“I learned from my mistakes and I’m gonna come back right.
Chris Colbert is a smart fighter and I think it’s a perfect
matchup for this card.
“I know what I did wrong and I accepted it. I have to keep
moving forward. I’ve got a great team around me and we
stayed positive.
“I wasn’t looking for an easy way out coming in off a loss.
I didn’t get here the easy way, so I’m going to keep doing
it the hard way.
“I’m gonna be bringing in a new set of skills. I’m ready to
show the cat-like reflexes. I’ll be on my toes fighting
intelligently. I’m gonna be sharp.
“I think David is going to stop Caleb around the eighth
round. He’s got the skills, the heart and the determination
to finish the fight.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR., Benavidez’s Father and Trainer
“This training camp is very special because our whole family
has been together. It’s super special and we’re super
motivated. It’s a great atmosphere here.
“We’re training hard not just to win the fight, but to look
spectacular and get to even bigger fights. I believe that
David is gonna stop Caleb Plant in the eighth or ninth
round.”
STEPHEN “BREADMAN” EDWARDS, Plant’s Trainer
“It’s going to take a great fighter to win this fight on
March 25. I believe Caleb has the potential to become a
great fighter and March 25 will help determine that.
“Caleb’s ability to absorb information really translates
well in the ring. Both of these guys are in their prime and
there’s a lot at stake. You have to be great to win a fight
like this. This fight has a little bit of Oscar De La Hoya
vs. Felix Trinidad and Floyd Mayweather vs. Diego Corrales.
Caleb being the Oscar and Floyd and David being the Corrales
and Trinidad.
“When it comes to the relationship Caleb and I have, we
didn’t have to work hard to get chemistry, it just came. I
like the way he goes about things and vice versa. He was
willing to listen. He’s a hard worker and very organized and
has a strong support system. He does what he needs to do. I
don’t have to pull teeth with him. All I have to do is coach
to his strengths.”
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