Stunning Upset in Las Vegas
In a stunning turn of events, 26-year-old Armando Resendiz delivered a shocking upset by defeating Caleb Plant via split decision in their matchup on Saturday night. The contest took place at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, with Resendiz emerging victorious with two judges scoring the bout 116-112 in his favor, while one judge saw it 115-113 for Plant.
Implications for Future Matchups
This unexpected result has significant implications for the potential showdown between Plant, a former IBF super middleweight champion with a record of 23 wins and 3 losses, and unbeaten contender Jermall Charlo (34-0, 22 KOs), who had recently knocked out Thomas LaManna in the co-main event of the night. Charlo’s victory, which marked his return to the ring after an extended hiatus, put him in a strong position, but now his potential matchup against Plant has been jeopardized.
Resendiz’s Determination
Resendiz, whose record now stands at 16 wins, 2 losses, and 11 knockouts, expressed his determination leading up to the fight, saying through an interpreter:
“I knew everybody was going to be against me. I believed in myself and my corner believed in me. I didn’t really worry about the split decision. I left it all to God.”
In the closing rounds, Resendiz demonstrated resilience and skill, landing significant power shots and opening a cut above Plant’s right eye.
Plant’s Reaction
Plant, meanwhile, acknowledged the competitive nature of the fight but believed he had done enough to secure the win, remarking:
“I felt like it was close, and in close fights, sometimes it swings the other way.”
Prior to this match, Plant’s only defeats came at the hands of notable fighters Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez.
Future of the Super Middleweight Division
The narrative now shifts to the intriguing possibility of a confrontation between Resendiz and Charlo, especially given Resendiz’s impressive performance against Plant, which breathes new life into the super middleweight division as it confronts an evolving landscape of challengers and contenders. With Resendiz’s rise, boxing fans are keen to see how these developments will unfold in future matchups.
