David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant live fight updates, results, highlights from 2023 boxing fight
LAS VEGAS — Tensions ran high at the pre-fight press conference between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant ahead of their March 25 showdown. Everyone held their breath in case the fight started early. The bad blood should make for an extraordinary fight between two warriors.
Benavidez vs. Plant, a match between the two highly ranked super middleweight contenders outside of Canelo Alvarez, will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fans in the US can follow the action via Showtime PPV.
The fight lasted more than five years. Benavidez, the former two-time WBC champion, and Plant, the former IBF champion, made it personal. From trash talk about family to a confrontation at the gym that led to a skirmish, Las Vegas is the perfect place to solve your problems.
Undefeated Benavidez lost his belts after testing positive for cocaine, then again when he missed weight for a title defense. He has an 88% knockout rate and averages the fourth most punches landed per round at 25.6. Benavidez believes Plant will falter in the face of a “true super middleweight” and Plant will be in pain from the start of the fight to the bitter end.
MORE: Fightin’ Words: Breakdown of David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant
“I’m going to break Caleb’s jaw in the sixth round on Saturday night,” Benavidez stated. “I’ve worked extremely hard and I’m super ready. All the talk is over. I see Caleb made that digging gesture, but he’s digging his own grave. We’ll see what the chin is like on Saturday.”
Plant’s run as champions ended after two years thanks to a loss to Canelo. He bounced back in October with a savage win over Anthony Dirrell (KO 9). With Stephen “Breadman” Edwards and his boxing IQ in his corner, Plant believes he has what it takes to defeat Benavidez.
“I worked extremely hard for this fight. I don’t care if he’s gained weight yet. You should do that. Welcome to the club,” Plant said. “You’ve got your newfound muscles that you’ve been showing off all week. Welcome to the club. I don’t need the right opponent in front of me to work hard. I was so disciplined and I walked the straight line. I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid. You have a real one ahead of you on Saturday. I’m not a pompous middleweight, I’m the real deal. You’ll see.”
Sporting News delivers results and highlights from Benavidez vs. Plant. Stay tuned!
MORE: How to bet on David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant
David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant Live Results, Updates
11:32 p.m. ET: Fireworks were expected between Ramos and Spencer and a quick left hook from Ramos brought Spencer down in the first round. They fought to the bell but Ramos clearly looks like the bigger puncher.
11:25 p.m. ET: Next up is the co-main event, with Jesus Ramos (19-0, 15 KOs) and Joey Spencer (16-0, 10 KOs) fighting where someone’s “0” needs to go. Hopefully the judges don’t ruin another fight.
Chris Colbert makes the decision in the outright heist against Jose Valenzuela
Results: 95-94, 95-94 & 95-94
11:15 p.m. ET: Wow. The word ‘robbery’ is used too liberally in boxing, but it applies tonight as all three judges found a way to give Colbert the verdict. There’s just no way Colbert could have won after being knocked down as well. “Rayo” routinely beat him, and the difference in power was obvious. Absolutely miserable to judge tonight.
11:00 p.m. ET: Heading into the ninth round, Valenzuela should be on top of all scorecards as he continues to impose his will on Colbert. The power is just too much for Colbert, but he’s definitely trying. Colbert had a strong seventh round that felt like retiring back into the fight, but “Rayo” opened the eighth with an attack that dashed Colbert’s hopes. Two more rounds.
10:44 p.m. ET: After a bumpy first round, Colbert has stabilized, using his speed and technique to pull back into the fight. Valenzuela is by far the heavier puncher, but if Colbert jabs enough he can pull forward in the middle rounds. But Valenzuela’s power and body attack have been strong so far.
10:33 p.m. ET: Less than a minute into the fight, Valenzuela crushed Colbert with a left hook that set him down on the canvas. The loop continued to go downhill for Colbert when an overhand left almost sent him down. Colbert had better get his act together or it’ll be a short night for the former WBA interim lightweight champion.
10:17 p.m. ET: Next up is Chris Colbert (16-1, 6 KOs), who is looking to return to victory against Jose Valenzuela (12-1, 8 KOs), who is also coming off the first loss of his career.
Cody Crowley makes tough majority decision over Abel Ramos
Official Scorecards: 115-113, 116-112 & 114-114
10:15 p.m. ET: Abel Ramos was successful in the later rounds but pressure from Crowley earned him the majority decision in a very tough fight. Ramos landed some of the heavier shots but it just wasn’t enough to hold off the stubborn Crowley.
9:45 p.m. ET: After six rounds, the Crowley pressure game has still proved successful. However, Ramos found a few moments to land power shots. The problem is that they are wide and few in between and just aren’t enough to earn him turns in the beginning.
9:30 p.m. ET: In three rounds, it was Crowley’s relentless pressure that kept Ramos with his back against the ropes, absorbing an attack to the head and body. Ramos hasn’t broken anything yet, but he will have to offer Crowley something that will put his opponent off him.
9:05 p.m. ET: The PPV part starts with Cody Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) – who has a tragic but inspiring story – against Abel Ramos (27-5-2, 21 KOs). This fight also happens to take place on Crowley’s 30th birthday.
8:15 p.m. ET: We’re live from the ring here in Las Vegas, one hour before the PPV starts. The MGM Grand Casino is buzzing with activity as fans for both fighters begin to fill the hallways. This is going to be good.
When does David Benavidez play Caleb Plant?
- Date: Saturday March 25 | Sunday March 26th
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET | 1 am GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT
- Main Event: 12 p.m. ET | 4am GMT | 3 p.m. AEDT (approx.)
Benavidez vs. Plant takes place on March 25th. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET | 1 am GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT. Benavidez and Plant were scheduled to meet around 12:00 p.m. ET | head to ring 4pm GMT | 3:00 p.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: A breakdown of Caleb Plant winning mental battle with David Benavidez
How to watch David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant
| country | Date | Channel + live stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. March 25th | Showtime PPV, PPV.com |
| Great Britain | Sun. 26th of March | FITE.tv |
| Australia | Sun. 26th of March | Main Event on Kayo |
Benavidez vs. Plant will be on Showtime PPV in the US
Viewers can stream Showtime from Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox ONE, a laptop, or any mobile or tablet device.
The fight will be available in the UK via FITE.
David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant PPV price: How much is the card?
- $74.99
- £12.99 in the UK on FITE
To watch Benavidez vs. Plant you have to pay $74.99 via Showtime PPV.
David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant undercard
- David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant for the WBC interim super middleweight title
- Jesus Ramos versus Joseph Spencer; super welterweights
- Defeated Chris Colbert. Jose Valenzuela by unanimous decision (95-94, 95-94 & 95-94)
- Defeated Cody Crowley. Abel Ramos by majority vote (115-113, 116-112 & 114-114)