On this Q&A, high coach and BoxingScene.com contributor Stephen “Breadman” Edwards discusses the upcoming showdown pitting his cost, Caleb “Candy Fingers” Plant in opposition to David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez and likewise displays on Plant’s latest spotlight reel knockout victory over Anthony Dirrell.
BoxingScene.com: First off congrats on the massive win over Anthony Dirrell. It’s exhausting to high the results of that battle, particularly with it being your first battle in Caleb’s nook. Now that just a few weeks have handed, what are your ideas on his efficiency?
Stephen Edwards: I assumed Caleb carried out rather well. I am very happy with him. He fought together with his feelings in verify. He overcame a troublesome begin to camp. He caught the covid this summer time. He misplaced an in depth a member of the family. He had a brand new baby. And he was rusty initially of camp so far as sparring as a result of he had not sparred for the reason that Canelo battle. So we had an important camp however it wasn’t excellent. He overcame all of that and he was locked in on the sport plan and he carried out. I’d’ve been happy with him if he received or misplaced actually as a result of this was a tough camp. However the efficiency was the icing on the cake.
BoxingScene.com: Lots of people had been shocked by Plant’s energy. Is it simply a kind of issues the place it was at all times there however simply hadn’t been introduced out?
Stephen Edwards: He is at all times been quick and explosive, he simply wasn’t making use of it in actual fights. We labored on getting the identical punches off that he will get off on the bag, pads and in sparring, in actual fights. Caleb picks up on issues actually quick. His IQ is off the charts.
BoxingScene.com: There was clearly unhealthy blood between Caleb and Anthony and there’s much more between him and Benavidez. Do you assume that kind of bitter rivalry pushes Plant to boost his recreation to a fair larger stage?
Stephen Edwards: You would need to ask him that. He informed me he trains 100% each battle so I’ve no purpose to not consider him. However from my perspective, I feel Anthony actually motivated him with the trash discuss. I additionally assume individuals doubting Caleb and never viewing him as excessive as he thinks he ought to be considered additionally actually pushes him. However Caleb can be disciplined. And if you’re disciplined you do not precisely want motivation. You simply do what you are imagined to do all the time since you’re imagined to do it.
BoxingScene.com: The WBC simply introduced that the winner will turn into the necessary challenger for Canelo Alvarez. In fact Canelo is able the place he does not at all times observe sanctioning physique mandates, however is the purpose to get the rematch with Canelo?
Stephen Edwards: Caleb needs to battle Canelo once more. So he is incomes it by preventing a fighter that Canelo does not appear to wish to battle. This was an influence transfer and a chess transfer on Caleb’s half. I actually respect him for taking this battle. He did not should take it no matter what you might hear.
BoxingScene.com: Talking of Canelo, what did you consider his third bout with Gennadiy Golovkin?
Stephen Edwards: I respect each nice fighters. Each are Corridor of Famers. I feel Golovkin has actually slowed down at 40 years outdated. And I feel though Canelo received, he did not have his finest evening both. However each have been acting at such a excessive stage for such a very long time, it is anticipated to not at all times have your finest evening each outing.
BoxingScene.com: Is there every other battle or fighter you want to point out earlier than I allow you to go?
Stephen Edwards: I’m glad Julian Williams obtained again within the win column. He labored off of somewhat rust and I anticipate his subsequent battle to be sharper. I am additionally hoping to get some huge fights for Kyrone Davis and Zachary Ochoa earlier than I begin camp with Caleb once more. Davis and Ochoa have taken some robust fights up to now and each are able to tackle anybody at middleweight and light-weight respectively, with correct time. I wish to give them each their finest probability to win and a pair of and three week camps are robust on me and on them. So hopefully I can get them each going over the subsequent 2 or 3 months, neither is choosy as to who they are going to battle.
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