Eddie Hearn believes that David Benavidez must fight Caleb Plant in order to earn the chance to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Plant fought two weeks ago and beat Anthony Dirrell in New York, marking a successful return to boxing after his loss to Canelo last year when the Mexican became the undisputed super middleweight champion.
Canelo defeated Gennadiy Golovkin in a trilogy rematch last month to retain those belts after a defeat to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight earlier this year. Bivol and Canelo are due for a rematch but there is no clear schedule for Canelo after that.
Benavidez, a two-time world champion, is one of the fighters ready and willing to fight Canelo should he gets the chance, and speaking to The DAZN Boxing Show, Hearn believes that Plant vs. Benavidez would be a big fight, and prove Benavidez’s credentials.
Hearn said: “I can’t believe we can’t get Benavidez-Plant. Benavidez-Plant is a really big fight.
“Plant’s coming off a huge gate, albeit against Canelo Avlarez. Big numbers, he’s a great fighter, he’s got a great narrative and Benavidez is a tremendous fighter, and that’s the kind of fight that should be made.
“If Benavidez wants to fight Canelo Alvarez, that’s the kind of fight he’s got to be in to make a statement, to make everyone go wow. Plant-Benavidez, same camp, same network, should be a given.”
Benavidez beat David Lemieux in May to become the WBC interim champion.