Canelo sticking to fight prediction despite 'bad blood' with Plant
- Matty Briggs
- 22 October 2021
"It's very different from normal and it's definitely the most animosity I've had with an opponent heading into a big fight."
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez says he is sticking to his pre-fight prediction despite admitting he has serious "bad blood" with Caleb Plant.
The pair will meet in Las Vegas to become the undisputed super middleweight champion on November 6.
Mexican powerhouse Canelo holds the WBA, WBC and WBO titles and will be defending a proud record of just one defeat in 56 fights.
Plant, from Tennessee, holds the IBF belt, and is unbeaten in 21 fights, but faces his toughest opponent yet in Canelo.
The face-off last month between the rivals turned ugly when Canelo pushed Plant which led to the American swinging for Canelo. Plant was left with a cut under his right eye.
Canelo accused Plant of making personal insults towards his mother, an accusation the 6ft 1in Plant denied immediately.
Tensions were already running high due to Plant's references to Canelo's two failed drugs tests in 2018.
Canelo was subsequently banned for six months, but he has always denied taking any banned substances and blamed his positive test for clenbuterol on meat which he had eaten.
Listen to the words that caused Canelo and Caleb Plant to clash 💥@ShowtimeBoxing captured the opening press conference scuffle up close 🎥#CaneloPlant | November 6 | BT Sport Box Office pic.twitter.com/6xsZuZdTyo
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) October 21, 2021
Plant said: "This sport is too dangerous for people to be popping positive. He's a cheater. It's not up for discussion.
"Did he get suspended? Did he test positive? It's not about what I say. It's about what the commission said. You have to take that up with them, not me."
Canelo has clearly been irked by Plant, but he remains the 1/10 favourite, while Plant is a 6/1 shot with Planet Sport Bet.
"It's new for me to have this much bad blood with an opponent," Canelo said.
"It's very different from normal and it's definitely the most animosity I've had with an opponent heading into a big fight."
Knockout before round eight
Canelo remains confident he can get Plant out of there and says it will happen before round eight.
"I'm sticking with my prediction of a knockout before round eight. The first couple of rounds will be difficult, but as the fight progresses, I am going to be able to get him out of there.
"I delivered the message I had to at our press conference. I don't have to say anything else to Plant. I'm just going to prepare to face him in the ring on November 6.
"I've never been involved in anything like what happened at the first press conference between me and Caleb.
"I've been in the ring for huge fights like this a lot of times. For him, it's going to be a challenge being in there for a fight of this magnitude for the first time. He's going to have to control his emotions," added Canelo.
