Armando Resendiz Stuns Caleb Plant in a Shocking Upset Victory
LAS VEGAS — On a night designed to showcase Caleb Plant’s resurgence, it was Armando Resendiz who stole the spotlight, rewrote the narrative, and delivered one of the most memorable upsets of 2025. In front of a lively crowd at the Michelob ULTRA Arena, Resendiz emerged victorious via split decision over the heavily favored Plant, claiming the interim WBA super middleweight title and abruptly halting plans for a fall showdown between Plant and Jermall Charlo.
Two of the three judges, Steve Weisfeld and Max DeLuca, scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Resendiz. Judge David Sutherland dissented with a 115-113 card for Plant, but the overall consensus—and the roars from the Mexican fans in attendance—left little doubt as to who truly controlled the fight.
Resendiz, a 26-year-old Californian by way of Nayarit, Mexico, entered the ring as a +1100 underdog against a more polished, former world champion. But once the bell rang, labels and expectations meant little. He imposed his will, adjusted quickly, and turned what was supposed to be a stepping stone for Plant into a career-defining triumph for himself.
Early Rounds: Plant Starts Strong, Resendiz Adjusts
As expected, Caleb Plant started the fight with confidence. In the opening round, he displayed his typical slick movement and sharp jabs, attacking the body early and probing with left hooks. The game plan was clear: keep Resendiz at range and wear him down gradually. Resendiz didn’t react impulsively but showed composure, even as he absorbed early clean shots.
The second round followed a similar theme, but Resendiz began making subtle adjustments. He responded with a body assault of his own, hammering away with shots that turned the left side of Plant’s torso an angry red. The crowd started to sense the shift, and so did Plant.
Momentum Shift: The Middle Rounds
By the third round, Resendiz had settled into a rhythm. He was no longer reacting—he was dictating. His relentless pressure made the ring feel smaller and smaller for Plant. Despite Plant’s ability to land flashy combinations, Resendiz answered with heavy left hooks and a right hand that cracked Plant’s chin late in the round, earning a loud response from the crowd.
The fourth and fifth rounds showcased the competitive edge of both fighters. Plant still found success with his body work and counters, but Resendiz continued to close the gap, pressing forward and landing punishing combinations.
Then came the sixth—arguably the turning point of the night. Roared on by “Si, se puede” chants, Resendiz landed two thunderous right hands that forced Plant into survival mode. Though he stayed upright, the impact of those shots—and the crowd’s reaction—cemented Resendiz’s presence in the fight. A warning for leading with the head momentarily paused the action, but Resendiz picked up right where he left off, connecting with a clean left hook and a devastating right that stunned Plant once again.
A Grueling Grind: The Championship Rounds
Plant’s defensive talents reemerged in the later rounds, especially in the tenth and eleventh. He moved more fluidly, held less, and landed precise body shots that seemed to momentarily slow Resendiz. But for every clean punch Plant landed, Resendiz had an answer—often in the form of his overhand right, which remained effective throughout the contest.
The twelfth and final round was a fitting end to a brutal chess match. Plant, visibly fatigued but determined, danced and jabbed, hoping to edge the final frame. Resendiz, unfazed and unrelenting, went right back to the body and found openings upstairs. Both men flurried as the final bell sounded, each raising their hands in self-belief, but only one would leave victorious.
According to CompuBox, Resendiz outlanded Plant significantly, connecting with 186 of 600 punches (31%) compared to Plant’s 108 of 509 (21.2%). The numbers validated what the eyes saw: Resendiz outworked and outmuscled the favorite.
Plant at a Crossroads
This loss marks a troubling trend for Caleb Plant. Now 23-3 (14 KOs), he’s lost three of his last five bouts. The previous two came against undisputed king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and undefeated contender David Benavidez—elite competition by any standard. But this defeat to Resendiz carries a different weight.
Unlike Canelo or Benavidez, Resendiz wasn’t seen as an elite-level opponent before this fight. Instead, he was supposed to be a springboard for Plant to secure a grudge match with Charlo, who had just stopped Thomas LaManna earlier in the night. That narrative was erased in 36 minutes of grit and glory.
Plant, 32, will now have to reevaluate his career trajectory. He had previously rebounded from tough losses, including a brutal knockout loss to Canelo in 2021 and a decision loss to Benavidez. In between, he delivered the 2022 Knockout of the Year against Anthony Dirrell and stopped Trevor McCumby in September 2024 to capture the interim WBA title. Still, Saturday’s defeat may be the most damaging yet—not just in the ring but to his future marketability.
Resendiz: The Spoiler Specialist
Armando Resendiz, now 16-2 (11 KOs), is quickly earning a reputation as the man who ruins best-laid plans. His career-defining win over former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd in 2023 already hinted at his potential. Hurd was a big name, looking for one last marquee payday. Resendiz stopped him and cut that dream short with a savage tenth-round TKO.
Though Resendiz suffered a setback in September 2023, losing via eighth-round stoppage to the undefeated Elijah Garcia, he rebounded with two consecutive wins. None were as monumental as his performance against Plant. In a sport where narratives often overpower reality, Resendiz is writing his own story—one upset at a time.
This win launches him into serious contention in the super middleweight division. While he still has much to prove against the division’s elite, defeating a name like Caleb Plant on a high-profile PBC card has thrust him into the spotlight.
What’s Next
For Caleb Plant, the path forward is murky. A bout with Charlo—once seen as inevitable—is now either shelved or scrapped entirely. He may need to take a lower-profile fight next, rebuild his stock, and rediscover the fighter who once held the IBF belt with pride.
As for Resendiz, the sky’s the limit. His tenacity, stamina, and ability to rise to the occasion have opened doors. A rematch with Garcia could be an option. Or he may now find himself as a mandatory for the WBA full champion. Either way, he’s no longer a fringe contender—he’s a force to be reckoned with.
In boxing, upsets are the heartbeat of the sport. And on Saturday night, Armando Resendiz didn’t just upset the odds—he transformed his career, captivated a crowd, and threw the super middleweight division into chaos.
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