Eddie Hearn believes that Caleb Plant should take a fight with David Benavidez to prepare for his expected showdown with Canelo Alvarez.
Plant hopes to take on Alvarez in September. The Mexican star is due to take on Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27, exclusively on DAZN. If Alvarez gets by Yildirim, then he could face Billy Joe Saunders
Speaking to The Ak & Barak Show on DAZN and Sirius XM, Hearn praised Plant’s ability but suggested he take one more fight before he meets Alvarez.
"I think that Caleb Plant is a very talented fighter," Hearn said. "I think he has fantastic feet. He has a very high boxing IQ. I like Caleb Truax. You know, as a guy, I think he's a great role model for fighters. I don't feel that they're the kind of fights that's gonna not only sort of prepare for Canelo Alvarez but also make the fight as big as it should be. We all know that that fight, again this is if [Alvarez] beats Yildirim, if he beats Billy Joe, then we know that the Plant fight would take place in September. I would love to see Caleb Plant have a real fight in between."
The 28-year-old Plant convincingly beat Caleb Truax in a mandatory defense of his IBF title Saturday via unanimous decision. The win followed victories over Mike Lee and Vincent Feigenbutz. Hearn is disappointed by the standard of those opponents.
"I actually think he's a fantastic fighter, but let's be honest: his resume is really, really poor. Really poor," Hearn said. But it's not his fault, and it's not because he doesn't have the capability to beat top, top 168-pounders. He's just not fighting [top] 168-pounders. So, like, in an ideal world, as a fan, I would love to see Caleb Plant against David Benavidez, you know, in May. And then, you know, whoever is the belt-holder fights Canelo Alvarez. I just hope that he doesn't sit tight until that fight, you know, because I feel like that's gonna be a huge fight, but it could be so much bigger if he takes the right steps and fights the right opponents because he's a great talent."
Plant injured his left hand during his win over Truax, something that could prove to be an obstacle to a swift return to the ring.