Caleb Plant vs Jose Armando Resendiz Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Caleb Plant has been coveting a fight against Jermall Charlo.

But he vows that he will not be overlooking former sparring partner Jose Armando Resendiz at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Plant and Charlo, who clashes with Thomas LaManna, are the card’s co-headliners.

Plant, the interim WBA super middleweight titleholder, is coming off a ninth-round TKO of Trevor McCumby in a September bout in which the former rebounded from tasting the canvas.

• Read next | Why has Jermall Charlo only fought once in three-and-a-half years?

Meanwhile, Resendiz produced a fifth-round TKO of Fernando Paliza just in February.

Will Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) deliver a sweet science masterclass to look to a bigger fight ahead? Or will Resendiz (15-2, 11 KOs) play spoiler with an upset of the former 168-pound world champion?

With plenty on the line, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both fighters.

Caleb Plant’s keys to victory

Work behind the jab

Plant’s brand of sweet science begins with the jab.

Then, everything starts to flow through it, allowing Plant to flash his high degree of boxing including his deceptive power.

Counter off Resendiz’ aggression

Knowing Resendiz’ ability as an explosive puncher, Plant has the opportunity Saturday night to turn the Mexican fighter’s aggression against him.

This could be in the form of Plant slipping punches and making Resendiz pay on the other end with sharp counters.

“Sweethands” is a slick boxer by nature so this key naturally fits into his wheelhouse of skills.

It is just a matter of Plant timing the counters now.

Show there’s levels to boxing

During the final fight press conference Thursday, Plant vowed “We’re gonna show him there’s levels to this” and in “impressive” fashion.

Now, it is time for Plant to be the complete boxer that he is and prove just that.

After all, a brilliant performance Saturday night will only start the big buildup to a possible fight with Jermall Charlo.

Jose Armando Resendiz’ keys to victory

Be aggressive

This fight — by far — is the biggest bout of Jose Armando Resendiz’ career.

If Resendiz is going to rattle and resolve Caleb Plant’s boxing skills, he is going to have to apply pressure and be consistently aggressive to cut the ring off.

Get inside of Plant’s reach

The aggression will certainly help but Resendiz will also need movement to slip under Plant’s jab and close in on the former champ’s five-inch reach advantage.

Either that or he will run the risk of taking one (or two) to get one and doing that could put the challenger behind on the scorecards — or worse.

Doing this will give the Mexican fighter his best chance of landing significant shots in maximizing his attempt at an upset.

Hook with caution

Resendiz should look to let his hands go with forward-fighting pressure with the aim of wilting Plant.

And his right hook in cramped quarters is the apt tool to unleash to do just that.

That said, he must proceed with caution as Plant is known to make effective real-time adjustments.

That coupled with Plant’s ability to counterpunch and the former champ’s Revenge Tour could continue if Resendiz is not careful.

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