Via Dan Ambrose: Demetrius Andrade called Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant for a match after his ninth knockout win over Anthony Dirrell (34-3-2.25 KOs) last Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
It is unlikely that Plant will agree to fight Andrade as it will be a tough match for him, and he is attempting a rematch with undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
It’s going to be another big payday for Plant, so it’s understandable why he’s headed in that direction.
It also makes sense that Plant would avoid fighters like Andrade, David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo, since he could lose all three.
Plant’s match against Dirrell was a knockout of the 168-lb WBC title, making him the second must-have for WBC champion Canelo. David Benavidez has been mandatory for Canelo’s WBC title since last year and he is also an interim champion.
For some reason, the WBC did not order Canelo to protect Benavidez. At some point, the sanctioning body will need to order Canelo to defend against Benavidez because it will look increasingly strange if the fight is not ordered soon.
If Canelo wants to vacate, that’s his prerogative. Plant will then need to face Benavidez for the vacant WBC unless he decides he’s no longer interested in taking that avenue for a world title.
Andrade (31-0.19 KOs) was in the crowd last night to witness Plant’s win over 37-year-old Dirrell and he said he’s going up to 168 to go after Plant, David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo in the short term.
‘Sweethands’ Plant, 30, got all he could handle from Dirrell for the first eight innings before catching him with a left hook to the head in the ninth round that took him by surprise.
Dirrell didn’t see the shot coming from Plant, who was not a big puncher, and injured his back.
While Dirrell was frustrated, Plant performed a prodigious act by pretending he was digging a grave for him. The referee quickly stepped in and prevented Plant from taunting Dirrell while he was on the canvas.
“We are upgrading to 168. Listen, he got in there and had his game plan and strategy, and it took a long time. He finally found the place. Dirrell didn’t look for it to come, and he caught him,” Demetrius Andrade said to Fighthype about Caleb Plant’s knockout win over Anthony Dirrell.
“I think it’s definitely going to go to 12,” Andrade said. I will definitely like that [a fight with Plant]. I want to get into the ring and get rid of a bit of rust and then, definitely in 2023, get in there with Plant.
“I’m going up to 168, trying to fight the guys up there. Charlo, Caleb Plant, David Benavidez. I’m looking for someone who’s doing something at an elite level like me, and that’s what we’re looking for. Became a three-tier, three-time world champion.
“The whole, the whole,” Andrade said when asked if he wanted the next Plant, Charlo or Benavidez. “Everybody is up there. It was a great fight. And dealing with any last name would be fine. They are all good fighters,” Andrade said.
