For the second time in a month, two boxers who were supposed to face each other at the end of the year coincided on the same card in separate fights. The co-main event lived up to expectations, while the main event witnessed the surprise of an “underdog”. The plan was for Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo to face each other this year if they overcame their respective opponents on Saturday at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The rivalry between the two arose from an incident in 2023 during the weigh-in for the fight between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence.
Video of the incident between Plant and Charlo
Charlo (34-0, 23 KOs) returned after 18 months of inactivity, defeating Thomas LaManna with a TKO in the sixth round. However, Jose Armando Resendiz pulled off a major upset by defeating Caleb Plant (23-3, 14 KOs) by split decision, winning the WBA interim super middleweight title. This event was reminiscent of the May 2nd card in Times Square, where Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney competed in separate fights with plans for a highly anticipated rematch later in the year. Haney outboxed Jose Ramirez, but Ryan Garcia, who was the betting favorite, was surprised by Rolando “Rolly” Romero.How did this happen again?
The concerns were directed at the wrong boxer.All eyes were on Charlo in the weeks leading up to his return against LaManna. The former two-division champion had only fought twice since 2021 due to injuries and legal issues. In his last fight against a smaller Jose Benavidez Jr. in November 2023, Charlo didn’t look like the boxer who had successfully defended the WBC middleweight title five times, but although LaManna was never perceived as a significant threat, he had the ability to cause an upset if Charlo wasn’t focused. Instead, Charlo looked sharp with a strong jab and quickly connected with the right hand to damage his opponent. Charlo, 35, knocked LaManna down three times before a doctor stopped the fight at the start of the sixth round. The fight was a clear confidence boost for Charlo, who was able to add some rounds before the abrupt ending.
I’m just looking to stay known and relevant.
Charlo
Plant’s path to the fight with Charlo was expected to be easier, as his only two losses on his record were against pound-for-pound boxers David Benavidez and Canelo Álvarez. Few considered the impact those losses might have had on Plant, completely underestimating Resendiz’s ability.
Before the fight with Plant, Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs) had competed primarily as a middleweight, with his most significant victories against a declining Jarrett Hurd and losses to Elijah Garcia and Marcos Hernandez. But Resendiz, 26, set traps, used intelligent pressure, and simply outboxed the former champion.
I didn’t really care what people were saying. I knew I was going to win. I didn’t worry at all, I knew it was going to be a tough fight and we gave them a great fight. I’m ready to fight anyone.
Resendiz
Following the defeat, Plant blamed a hand injury for his performance, but he will have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what’s next after a 2-3 record in his last five fights.
Like the possible rematch between Haney and Garcia, the loss was supposed to detract from fan interest in a Charlo-Plant fight. However, Charlo still wants the fight. He stated that he has no interest in fighting Resendiz and would rather face Plant, regardless of Saturday’s result.
Plant also stated that he wanted the fight and would opt for it instead of activating a rematch clause with Resendiz.I’m not here to criticize anyone or speak ill of anyone, but Caleb Plant failed at this. I still want my rematch. I don’t care if he has the [WBA interim super middleweight title] or not. We can make a belt. They can make a belt. Someone make a belt. I want my rematch.
Charlo
I would go straight to the fight with Charlo, but we have a rematch clause. I’m more than willing to do it again.
Plant
At this moment, it seems that Plant will need to take some time off. He is expecting a baby in the coming weeks and should weigh his options before committing one way or another. At 32, Plant could be on the back end of his career. Against Resendiz, his timing and reflexes were affected. Could he have been underestimating Resendiz? Perhaps. The way the fight unfolded, it was obvious that Plant was in a fight from the third round. He never did anything to change the course as the fight slipped away from him, and that may have less to do with desire and more to do with the decline of his physical ability. His two wins since he was stopped by Canelo in 2021 were against an already faded Anthony Dirrell and a tough but athletically limited Trevor McCumby. Resendiz was younger and simply seemed to want it more.
The outcome of Plant-Resendiz could cause Premier Boxing Champions to pause on Plant-Charlo and push for an immediate rematch. Charlo-Plant will need a boost before the rivalry resumes. Plant needs to get back in the win column before he has a chance to face the undefeated Charlo. Also, Charlo could use a legitimate top 10 opponent in the super middleweight division to see exactly where he is at this stage of his career.
Ultimately, one has to ask oneself whether the idea of putting two boxers who are expected to face each other on the same card in separate warm-up fights should be set aside after what happened in Times Square and Las Vegas. If the plan is for them to fight anyway, why wait?
