Winner by unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112, 117-111), Benavidez, 26, remains undefeated in 27 fights including 23 before the limit, while his opponent records the second defeat of his career in 22 fights.

Under the eyes of Floyd Mayweather, his friend and boxing legend, Benavidez started the fight timidly, biding his time by leaving the initiative to his opponent without putting himself in danger.

With a superior extension, the Phoenix native took control of hostilities at the end of the third of the fight, delivering blows galore to a completely overwhelmed Caleb Plant. On a powerful right the latter was seriously shaken on the seventh occasion.

In the next, Benavidez increased the pressure and again inflicted a hail of blows on his opponent who finished this resumption with a bloody face, forcing the doctor to intervene to decide whether or not to continue the fight.

The final third of the fight was a slow agony for Plant, 30, reputed to be a good technician, but unable to resist Benavidez's fury except by incessant clashes that earned him the referee's rebuke.

As soon as his success was confirmed, the youngest Benavidez challenged the Mexican Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, commonly perceived as the master of super-middleweight of which he holds four belts (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF).

In fact, with this victory, Benavidez as interim champion becomes the official challenger of the Mexican pugilist. The acting title is usually awarded to a boxer, when the champion is unable to defend his title for various reasons. It is then up to the federations concerned to organize a fight for the supreme title between the two boxers, when the conditions are met.

The winner of the Benavidez-Canelo clash will then be considered the undisputed king of the category.

© 2023 AFP