The first undisputed Super Middleweight champion of the four-belt era will be crowned inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight (Sat., Nov. 6, 2021) when Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez attempts to add undefeated Caleb Plant’s IBF title to his sizable trophy case.

Victory would cap off a historic 12-month stretch for Alvarez, who decisively defeated two other unbeaten champions in Callum Smith (watch highlights) and Billy Joe Saunders (watch highlights). Plant, meanwhile, will be looking to hand Alvarez his first defeat since 2013. The Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) and FITE TV-streamed card includes another Super Middleweight match up in Anthony Dirrell vs. Marcos Hernandez, former Super Bantamweight champion Rey Vargas’ Featherweight debut, and Welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez taking on undefeated Juan Pablo Romero.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE coverage of tonight’s main event right here. The Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) and FITE TV broadcasts will kickoff at 9 p.m. ET, with Alvarez and Plant likely to make the walk closer to midnight.

It’s the main event that’s got everyone talking, though, so let’s direct our attention there …

Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

Age: 31
Record: 56-1-2 (38 KO)
Last Five Fights: Billy Joe Saunders (RTD-8), Avni Yildirim (RTD-3), Callum Smith (UD) Sergey Kovalev (KO-11), Daniel Jacobs (UD), Rocky Fielding (TKO-3)
Significant Victories (other than those mentioned above): Gennadiy Golovkin x2, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Amir Khan, Liam Smith

VS.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Caleb “Sweethands” Plant

Age: 29
Record: 21-0 (12 KO)
Last Five Fights: Caleb Truax (UD), Vincent Feigenbutz (TKO-10), Mike Lee (TKO-3), Jose Uzcategui (UD). Rogelio Medina (UD)
Significant Victories (other than those mentioned above): None

---

THE FIGHT

Though his professional record is largely empty outside of Jose Uzcategui — who completely fell off a cliff afterward — Plant’s skills are unquestionable. A razor-sharp jab, good footwork, great combination punching, and remarkably fast hands make him a headache for the vast majority of the division. Next to the massive, brick-fisted David Benavidez, he might have the best shot of anyone at 168 pounds of halting Canelo’s momentum.

“Best” doesn’t mean “good,” though.

Even with noteworthy advantages in height and reach, I’m just not convinced Plant can keep Canelo off of him. Plant’s not a one-and done puncher; on the contrary, he makes an effort to earn his opponent’s respect with heavy volleys. And even though it’s not exactly easy to pin him against the ropes, it’s far from impossible. Canelo’s indestructible chin, implacable advance, and strong ring cutting give him the tools to force Plant into an unwinnable, phone booth-type fight.

There are two feasible methods of beating Canelo: being too elusive for him to pin down, as Floyd Mayweather and Erislandy Lara did, or being both durable and powerful enough to meet him head-on, as Gennadiy Golovkin did. Plant’s attempts to split the difference aren’t going to pay off … or at least not for long. His rapid-fire combinations and slick movement may dazzle early, but once Canelo starts to really put on the squeeze, it’ll turn into an increasingly one-sided slugfest. I’ll give Plant the benefit of the doubt and say he both lasts the distance and wins about four rounds.

Prediction: Alvarez via unanimous decision

---

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE coverage of tonight’s main event right here. The Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) and FITE TV broadcasts will kickoff at 9 p.m. ET, with Alvarez and Plant likely to make the walk closer to midnight.