Just the mere mention of Caleb Plant would often leave David Benavidez apoplectic. For years on end, the two former super middleweight champions took countless verbal jabs at one another as a showdown between them grew more and more likely. While it may have taken a bit longer than he wanted, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) clutched his fist in triumph as the two have reportedly signed a deal to square off in the first quarter of the 2023 calendar.

With a matchup against Plant now official, Benavidez begins to salivate as he envisions landing numerous unanswered blows. Although the 25-year-old is no stranger to public fulmination and competitive trash talk, in the case of Plant, the former WBC 168-pound belt holder reveals that there were certain things that were said that are simply unforgivable.

“This fight for me is 100% personal with Caleb Plant,” said Benavidez during an interview with BoxingScene.com. “I’m really looking to go in there and beat the shit out of him.”

Despite his bloodthirsty intentions, Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) will look to box his way to a clear-cut victory. Since having his IBF world title reign truncated at the hands of Canelo Alvarez, Plant has done his best to use the sting of defeat to his advantage. So far so good, as the Nashville, Tennessee native bounced back nicely in his most recent trip to the ring against Anthony Dirrell.

Much like Benavidez, Dirrell antagonized the former champion during the lead-up to their bout on October 15th. But, in spite of his bravado, Dirrell was ultimately forced to eat his words, losing via ninth-round stoppage.

While Benavidez openly admits that his disdain for Plant runs deep, he did tip his cap in a sign of respect for his explosive outing. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old former champion refuses to focus on Plant's eye-catching victory. Instead, Benavidez finds himself reminiscing of the night Plant suffered his lone defeat.

Desperate to witness history, a jam-packed crowd filled the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 6th, as both Alvarez and Plant tangoed for super middleweight glory. Though he had his moments, Alvarez’s consistent attack to the body eventually slowed down the fleet of foot Plant, resulting in his knockout defeat in the penultimate round.

Having registered stoppage victories in six consecutive bouts, including most recently against David Lemieux, Benavidez has promised to alter Plant’s career with a display of pure dominance come fight night.

“My plan is go in there and do what I know I can do to Caleb Plant and that’s gonna be put a beating on him worse than Canelo.”