David Benavidez Says Caleb Plant Was His Toughest Fight
WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez has built a reputation as one of boxing’s most relentless pressure fighters, but even “The Mexican Monster” admits certain battles leave a deeper mark. As he prepares for a high-stakes clash with Gilberto Ramirez later this spring, Benavidez has revealed which opponent pushed him hardest inside the ring—and the answer reaches back to one of the most emotionally charged fights of his career.
Benavidez points to Caleb Plant as his toughest opponent
David Benavidez identified Caleb Plant as the most difficult rival he has faced to date.
Speaking in an interview with streamer Neon on Kick, Benavidez explained that Plant’s technical skill and the intense rivalry surrounding their bout made the fight uniquely challenging.
“Everybody brings something different,” Benavidez said. “But the hardest fight I’ve had was probably Caleb Plant. There was a lot of animosity between us, and he’s a great fighter.”
Despite winning the contest by unanimous decision, Benavidez described the match as a high-level performance from both fighters, noting that the emotional stakes elevated the difficulty.
From youngest champion to two-division contender
Benavidez’s career trajectory has been defined by rapid success and occasional turbulence.
In 2017, the Phoenix-born fighter became the youngest super-middleweight world champion in history after defeating Ronald Gavril by split decision. He later secured a more decisive victory in their rematch, cementing his reputation as one of the division’s rising stars.
Benavidez eventually claimed the super-middleweight title for a second time but lost the belt again after failing to make weight—a setback that temporarily stalled his championship momentum.
The long pursuit of Canelo Alvarez
For several years, Benavidez publicly campaigned for a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, the dominant figure in the super-middleweight division.
While that fight never materialized, Benavidez continued to build his résumé by defeating notable contenders including David Lemieux, Demetrius Andrade, and Plant.
When the long-awaited Alvarez matchup remained elusive, Benavidez chose to move up in weight to pursue new opportunities at light-heavyweight.
Success continues at light-heavyweight
The transition to the 175-pound division has proven fruitful.
Benavidez has delivered convincing victories over opponents such as Oleksandr Gvozdyk, David Morrell, and Anthony Yarde.
Those performances culminated in Benavidez capturing the WBC light-heavyweight world title, establishing himself as a serious force in a new weight class.
Ramirez clash could redefine Benavidez’s toughest test
The 29-year-old champion now faces what could become the most demanding fight of his career.
Benavidez is scheduled to meet Gilberto Ramirez on May 2 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ramirez enters the bout as the unified cruiserweight champion moving down to challenge Benavidez, adding intrigue to a matchup between two elite Mexican fighters.
Given Ramirez’s experience and championship pedigree, many analysts believe the upcoming contest may surpass the Plant fight in terms of difficulty.
Legacy questions loom ahead of Las Vegas showdown
For Benavidez, the Ramirez fight represents more than a title defense. It offers a chance to solidify his standing among boxing’s elite across multiple divisions.
Should he prevail, the victory would strengthen his claim as one of the sport’s most dangerous champions—and potentially reopen discussions about future super-fights.
Until then, Benavidez remains candid about the battles that shaped him, acknowledging that even the most dominant champions encounter opponents who test every dimension of their skill.
Source:Boxing News Online