What about Plant’s power? He’s coming off a one-punch ninth-round knockout of veteran Anthony Dirrell in his most recent fight, this past October. That’s what Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) has to look forward to on Saturday, one of the most destructive offensive forces in recent years. Benavidez isn’t fleet of foot but he’s adept at closing the distance between himself and his opponents by fighting behind his jab, pounding the body and generally suffocating his opponents with a high volume of heavy punches. “That’s because I know what I’m doing,” Benavidez said. He lands 38.4% of every punch he throws, which well ahead of No. However, he’s an underrated technician who throws – and lands – more punches than the Mexican pound-for-pounder.Īccording to CompuBox, Benavidez is the most accurate puncher in the sport. The answer is no.Īlvarez gradually, methodically cut off the ring against Plant, broke him down and stopped him with a vicious right uppercut in the penultimate round to unify all four major super middleweight titles.īenavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) isn’t as skillful as Alvarez, which is the case for all but a few boxers. The question is whether he can withstand Benavidez’s relentless pressure for 12 rounds.

The Tennessean could lead on the cards after the first five or six rounds. Plant’s ability to stick and move might give the less-athletic Benavidez trouble early in the fight, as it did against Alvarez.

Plant boxer