Canelo V. Plant, live and uncut, 11.6.21
Specifically designed for those that like it raw. Written between rounds. Except for this part. During this part is the National Anthems. Canelo is in his prime. It’s arguably his era. Plant is undefeated. Plant is an undefeated underdog. The camera shows each of their wives as the fighters walk into the ring. The signal is clear: it’s personal. There will be blood. Give me a break, I do it a sentence at a time. 12 rounds. Saul Canelo Alvarez versus Caleb Plant for the undisputed, unified super middleweight championship of the world.
R1: Before the fight Plant told Jim Grey “it’s best of seven,” meaning he only needed to be the best for seven rounds. An excellent plan to win the fight. I thought he got beat up a little bit in round one.
Rd2: An incredible round of precision and power. Each man had and took big shots. The crowd explodes at a late Canelo combination.
Re3: This is the second or third time I’ve written during a Canelo fight. The violence surprises me every time. The sound of the body shots. Plant is comfortable as a counter puncher. Styles makes fights, they’ll say.
Rd4: Plant dances and feints. Canelo uncoils and punishes him for showboating. The crowd erupts. Both fighters settle down. Plant feels Canelo in his prime tonight.
Rd5: When people score rounds they claim to tell you what happened in what you just saw. There’s no story. No justifications. Hiding behind a number. Canelo seems to be hitting Plant cleanly, from this couch. Plant still steady.
Rd6: At the very least, Caleb Plant must know that he cannot count on winning seven rounds.
Rd7: The Showtime unofficial scorer has it 58–56 Canelo. Nasty accidental headbutt, but nothing significant. The fight remains unchanged.
Rd8: I’ve forgotten how to do this. I’ve forgotten why I do this. Is it to get to these late middle rounds? Canelo stalks and stalls Plant. Plant shuffles and counters.
Rd9: The aesthetics of the fight favor Canelo. The crowd screaming “MEXICO.” Plant staying in there and standing in there is frighting to consider. The power in that.
Rd10: Showtime’s scorer has it 88–83, with Plant only winning rounds one and three. Who am I to judge?
Rd11: Plant goes down. The referee does not stop the fight as Canelo batters a dazed, limping, concussed Plant. Or the referee is unable to get between Canelo’s fists and Plants face and body.
The men meet at the middle of the ring and talk seriously, the microphone picking it all up. A private conversation, recorded live, on pay-per-view. Canelo acknowledges Plant as a man. Each apologize to the other. The crowd hushes.
