I'm excited about this fight. Plant has been a pretty solid looking prospect from what I've seen of him, and I instantly liked Uzcategui for kicking the sh*t out of Andre Dirrell twice (though he got DQ'd once, he whipped his ass both times, and we all know it).
This is an interesting fight, and not the easiest in the world to pick. I'm probably gonna favor Uzcategui to stop him, but I honestly wouldn't be the least bit shocked if Plant were able to win a decision here. I'd be a little surprised at a Plant KO win, but who knows. It's Boxing.
Super bantamweight prospect “Magic” Mike Plania (17-1, 10 KOs) will get another big break in the US as he fights on the undercard of the January 13 Jose Uzcategui vs. Caleb Plant fight in Los Angeles. Opponent is yet to be announced. The fight was arranged by Manny Pacquiao, who will fight the following week against Adrien Broner.
The ecstatic Plania was so grateful about the news. “Thank you so much Senator Manny Pacquiao for this chance. I will do my best to win and make our country proud. It will be an impressive win. I have been working hard in the gym for this. Thank you also to JC Manangquil and Sanman for managing my career well. Happy New Year everyone!”, Plania stated.
According to Sanman honcho Jim Claude Manangquil, the Plania fight is just one of the more fights in the beginning of 2019. Duno and Gaballo will also fight on February 9 in a Sanman-ESPN 5 boxing event.
Below is what Plant and his trainer Justin Gamber had to say Friday from City Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:
CALEB PLANT
"This is a great matchup. I think this could be one of the best fights of the year. On paper at least, it already looks like that. He’s a rough rugged guy who comes forward and I know he’s coming to win.
"Any time that a pro fights for his first world title, it’s something that they’ve always dreamed of. This is something that I’ve always wanted. I’m excited to be here and be a part of this great night on FS1 and FOX Deportes.
"I really think that with our styles, this is going to be fireworks. I believe that on January 13 you will hear ’and the new!’
"I’ve had the same team with me since the amateurs with only a couple new additions the last few years and we’re a close-knit family. It’s not just our job and our careers. I have a great corner. Everyone is calm, cool and collected and I feel we have a lot of knowledge. I’m excited for them to be on this journey with me and now we’re at the first stop.
"I’m going to bring excitement. Everyone who’s watched me sees my boxing skill, the speed, the footwork, but we have some new additions that we’ll throw in there for this fight. Everyone needs to tune in January 13 to see what it looks like.
"I’m so thankful for everyone, especially back in (Plant’s hometown) Nashville, Tennessee, who have been following me since the beginning. I’m not just doing this for me, I’m doing it for us. It’s going to be all of us in that ring on January 13."
JUSTIN GAMBER, Plant’s Trainer
"This is what we’ve trained for since Caleb turned pro. This is the direction we’ve been headed the whole time and this is the biggest fight of our lives. We’ve put in as much work as we could. It’s been smart work, not only hard work.
"We’ve done everything we’ve had to in the gym, we’ve done our homework and we’ll be ready on fight night. This has been our best training camp by far. Everything Caleb has learned has led up to this point.
"Everything is coming together and Caleb is looking better than he ever has. He’s faster, stronger and he has more confidence than he’s ever had before.
"I love this matchup. Stylistically, Uzcategui comes forward, but he can do some different things. He’s a right-hander but he can fight southpaw. Uzcategui is good all around. He’s not great at any single thing, he’s just good everywhere.
"In this fight Uzcategui’s biggest assets will be his experience and his comfort level in the ring. But I think he’s tailor-made for Caleb and the hand speed and defense he brings. It’s definitely not going to be an easy fight, but it’s a fight that could play into Caleb’s hands stylistically."
Exciting contender Fernando Garcia will take on Isao G. Carranza in an eight-round super bantamweight clash as part of a stacked undercard on Sunday, January 13 at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The 30-year-old Garcia (10-0, 5 KOs) has moved up the ladder in the division with three wins in 2018 and wants to make a statement against Mexico's Carranza (15-13-1, 9 KOs). Garcia was born in Mexico but now lives and trains in Dallas, Texas.
Also in action are two unbeaten prospects as Indio, California's Ruben Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO) takes on Daniel Perales (10-14-2, 5 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight contest, while featherweight Victor Slvansky (7-0, 4 KOs) clashes with Mexico's Angel Monrreal (10-11-1, 3 KOs).
Plus, Philippines' Michael A. Plania (17-1, 10 KOs) will meet Mexico's Ramiro Robles (15-8-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight match. Rounding out the slate of non-televised fights is Desoto, Texas-welterweight Amon Rashidi battling Evincii Dixon in a four-round match.
The jam-packed undercard is part of a Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes show that features IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Jose Uzcategui taking on unbeaten Caleb Plant in the main event. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also see unbeaten featherweight Brandon Figueroa take on Moises Flores and sensational prospect Joey Spencer entering the ring.
The undercard will also see PBC Prelims on FS1 and FOX Deportes (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT) featuring the return of former world champion and pound-for-pound contender Guillermo Rigondeaux against Giovanni Delgado and hard-hitting 2016 Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado in an eight-round super lightweight fight.
Uzcategui (28-2, 23 KO’s) will be making the first defense of his world championship against Plant (17-0, 10 KO’s) in the main event of a card promoted by Premier Boxing Champions and televised live on FS1 and Fox Deportes.
“I am looking forward to getting in the ring and showing all my talent and put on notice all the champions in this division. I want to be the best and I am willing to face the best,” said Uzcategui, who trained in Tijuana and San Diego for this fight versus Plant.
The Venezuelan strongman, has lived in Tijuana for over 10 years and will once again is eager to represent both countries in the best way possible.
“I represent both my countries with pride and honor and I know that when I get in the ring a lot of people support me and I want to bring them both a victory and a great fight on Saturday night,” said Uzcategui, who is promoted by Fernando Beltran, Zanfer promotions.
“I expect a great showing from Uzcategui, he is a warrior who will leave everything in the ring and will walk away with the victory,” said his advisor Sean Gibbons.
Jose Uzcategui
Age: 28
Title: IBF super middleweight (2018-Present, 1st Attempted Defense)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 6’2
Weight: 165 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (Born in Venezuela)
Record: 28-2, 23 KO
Press Rankings: #3 (Ring), #4 (ESPN), #5 (Boxing Monthly), #8 (TBRB, BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 1-1, 1 KO in interim title fights
Last Five Opponents: 112-32-2 (.774)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: None
vs.
Caleb Plant
Age: 26
Title/Previous Titles: None
Height: 6’1
Weight: 166 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Henderson, Nevada
Record: 17-0, 10 KO
Press Rankings: Unrated – IBF mandatory
Record in Major Title Fights: 1st title fight
Last Five Opponents: 112-28-4 (.792)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: None
————————
The Case for Uzcategui: The defending beltholder is the more experienced pro and has shown steady improvement over the years. His pressing approach has become more refined and he’s a hard guy to keep at bay. Uzcategui has quick hands, puts them together in combination, and changes speeds well. While he was down against Matt Korobov in 2014, his chin has otherwise been reliable and Plant doesn’t appear too big a puncher. Uzcategui doesn’t always use his jab as much as he could but he can make up for that in the way he doubles up on his left hook to the body and head. Plant can be a hard target so Uzcategui has to be thinking about how to work in several blows at a time and keep his output consistent. If he’s willing to miss a few to land enough, he gives himself his best chances on the cards. If he can get to Plant’s body early and force him to the ropes, he’ll have a chance for more as Plant’s resistance hasn’t been tested at this level yet.
The Case for Plant: Plant enters with a lopsided, if dull, victory over veteran Rogelio Medina. Medina is the most notable common foe for both men. Plant beat him by a wider margin; Uzcategui beat Medina when he had fewer miles on him. Plant’s lack of experience doesn’t mean there aren’t visible assets working in his favor. Plant is probably about the equal of Uzcategui in quickness and he’s used to working to win the most rounds in any given fight. Plant’s win over Medina went twelve; his previous three wins all went the full ten. Plant’s defensive skill set is what could mean victory on Sunday. His head and upper body movement are excellent and his footwork helps his to control distance. He picks his spots for offense, working with a long jab, a sneaky right, and whipping shots to the body. If he can stifle Uzcategui’s offense and stop him from getting on a roll, Plant has a real chance to win.
The Pick: This is a tough fight to handicap because we’re still learning a bit about the ceiling for both fighters. Was the rematch performance against Dirrell the best we can see from Uzcategui? Is Plant the sort of defensive cutie who gets even better when the pressure is greater? We’re about to find out. The thinking here is Uzcategui is strong enough to stay close to Plant and, while he’ll miss his share, the punches he lands will be harder and he’ll force the fight enough for that to count. It’s the sort of contest where we could see divergent scores as the judges have to determine whether aggression in effective or who is really playing the ring general. In a close fight, it’s sometimes easier to favor the man who is making the fight and so the pick is the more seasoned Uzcategui, maybe by a split or majority decision.
chuck9788 wrote: ↑13 Jan 2019, 12:53
I can't believe that I am alone in picking Plant!
Someone better jump on board with me ..... Caleb is going to win this fight.
It wouldn't shock me in the slightest if Caleb won, but I don't know that he's capable of it, those scores against "Porky" Medina were pretty close and Uzcategui is a lot more dangerous than that guy.
