Benavidez Names Caleb Plant as Toughest Fight of His Career

Former champion says the Plant fight felt harder despite the physical damage in the David Morrell bout

David Benavidez says Caleb Plant was the toughest opponent of his career. The former champion made the comment while reflecting on past fights during an interview with N3on.

Benavidez recently reflected on the toughest fight of his career while discussing the opponents he has faced. His answer pointed back to a bout that followed months of hostility between the two fighters.

“Who is the toughest fight? Everybody has a lot of stuff that they do,” Benavidez said to N3on. “I would say the hardest fight I had was probably with Caleb Plant, just because it was such a big moment. There was a lot of animosity towards each other, and he’s a great fighter.”

Benavidez beat Caleb Plant by unanimous decision in March 2023 after gradually breaking him down over twelve rounds.

Many fans still point to the David Morrell fight as the tougher test. Morrell scored a knockdown and landed several heavy shots that left visible damage on Benavidez before the final bell.

Even so, Benavidez secured a clear decision, keeping his workrate high through the later rounds and continuing to throw combinations as the fight developed. The bout featured several hard exchanges and showed Morrell’s punching power despite the loss.

The Plant fight followed a steadier pattern. Plant won some early rounds, though Benavidez gradually pushed him back and landed the heavier punches as the championship rounds arrived.

Benavidez praised Plant while reflecting on that fight. “He fought a great fight, and we had a great performance, both of us,” Benavidez said.

Benavidez’s comments place the Plant fight at the top of his personal list of difficult opponents, even though the later fight with Morrell created the stronger impression of danger for many viewers.