Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo return on a Premier Boxing Champions-produced fight card on Saturday night in the US. They compete in separate bouts, with the goal being to face one another down the road.
The card features top prospects and potential contenders. However, only two matches will determine the future of boxing's super middleweight division.
Plant (23-2) is a former IBF super middleweight champion who is 2-2 in his last four fights. "Sweethands" wants to hold gold again and has won two of his last three fights via knockout.
Resendiz (15-2) is 3-2 in his last five fights and has eleven wins via knockout. After taking out Jarrett Hurd in 2023, he looks to break down Plant and cause an upset.
Charlo (33-0) returns to action after legal issues forced him to be stripped of gold. A two-division champion, "Hit Man" has a solid resume, beating a who's who of fighters. However, he hasn't competed in two years.
LaManna (39-5-1) competes in one of the biggest fights of his career after failing to capture gold against Erislandy Lara in 2021. Winner of nine straight, "Cornflake" is ready to make a moment at the expense of Charlo.
Can Plant and Charlo get past their opponents, leading to an anticipated grudge fight? With the help of our partner sportsbooks, The Sporting News makes our predictions on the Plant vs. Resendiz card.
Caleb Plant vs. Jose Resendiz expert betting tips and card predictions
Caleb Plant vs. Jose Resendiz; Super Middleweights
Plant is considered one of the toughest fighters out there and has proven time and time again that he can clash with the best in the world.
Though he struggled against David Benavidez, getting outlanded 161-46 from the seventh round on, Plant showcased incredible toughness. He managed to land 101 strikes against Canelo Alvarez in a loss.
Outside times where he has come up short, Plant is someone you want on your side. Plant loves to build up on the jab before going for the attack. Against Anthony Dirrell, he landed 47 total jabs and five per round. He eventually knocked Dirrell out with a left hook.
Given his pedigree it's no surprise to see Plant is a very short 1/20 favourite with Betfair, while Jose Resendiz is the 7/2 underdog.
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Plant also knows how to get motivated. Despite a called knockdown in the fourth against Trevor McCumby, Planet landed 133 power punches to McCumby's 59 from round five on.
Resendiz's biggest win came against Jarrett Hurd in a slugfest. He landed 280 of 780 shots (35.9%), the most by a Hurd opponent. Hurd's jab was neutralized, as Resendiz forced him to only land 24 in rounds five through nine.
Unfortunately, his momentum came crashing down, thanks to a loss against Elijah Garcia. Getting swarmed with shots, as well as recovering from a knockdown, Resendiz could not follow up on his massive win against Hurd.
Resendiz seems motivated enough, but Plant is on another level. It is expected the latter will come in aggressive right away but will still play it smart. A Plant stoppage in the later rounds is likely, and that is what we think will be the outcome.
The Sporting News prediction: Plant via TKO (round seven)
Jermall Charlo vs. Thomas LaManna; Super Middleweights
Jermall Charlo is the 1/16 favourite with Bet365 for this one, while Thomas LaManna is 9/1.
Charlo has had the disadvantage of being out of action for about two years. However, he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Against Jose Benavidez Jr. in his most recent fight in November 2023, Charlo landed 243 of 613 punches (40%), while Benavidez landed 86 of 446 punches (19%). Charlo never took his foot off the gas from round one on.
Facing a gutsy Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021, Charlo landed 258 of 769 shots (44.6%) and only absorbed 127 shots. He only landed single-digit shots twice.
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A multi-division champion, Charlo attempts to conquer another division. He knows the pressure is on, can he thrive under it?
Charlo faces someone in LaManna who showcased a leaky defense against Erislandy Lara. While he has won nine straight following that loss, the level of opposition has not been the same since that fight in 2021.
It's Charlo's fight to lose. Can he showcase the same explosive power that brought him gold? Or will ring rust play a factor? We believe Charlo will win, but the fight will go the distance.
The Sporting News prediction: Charlo via unanimous decision
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