LOS ANGELES -- Boxing fans will be treated to a rare Sunday night of boxing on Jan. 13. Jose Uzcategui (28-2, 23 KOs) will be putting his IBF super middleweight title on the line against the undefeated Caleb Plant (17-0, 10 KOs). The fight will air on Fox Sports 1 and it will showcase two of the better super middleweights in what is a wide open division.
The champion is a rugged fighter from Venezuela who likes to stand and trade. He works out of the orthodox stance and has heavy hands. While he may not have a world class jab or hand speed he does throw a good left hook and straight right hand. Uzcategui also likes to bang to the body and he's at his best when he can sit in the pocket. You shouldn't expect to see any fancy footwork or slick defense from the champion though so his chin, which has held up in the past, will be tested against Plant.
Despite being the IBF champion Uzcategui doesn't exactly have the most impressive resume. His three most notable wins came against Rogelio 'Porky' Media, Julius Jackson in what was Jackson's first career loss, and Andre Dirrell. While his record says he has two losses one of those losses was a disqualification for hitting Dirrell just after the bell in their first fight. Uzcategui was then attacked by Dirrell's uncle in a disgusting display. His other career loss came against Matt Korobov, who is hotter than ever after giving Jermall Charlo all he could handle. Uzcategui won his title in that second fight with Dirrell and will be making his first defense after fighting a 10-round bout following his victory over Dirrell.
Plant, who fights out of the orthodox stance, uses his feet much more than Uzcategui does but he is still far from slick. He likes to leave his lead hand low and has a bad habit of leaving his chin exposed. So far Plant hasn't paid the price for that and has shown a good chin. Offensively he has a nice left hook and a thudding right hand but he will certainly be at a power disadvantage against Uzcategui. Plant likes to stick his jab on the move and he should look to stay very busy with that punch on Sunday. He might show some ring rust though because he has been out of the ring for nearly a year.
Plant's resume definitely doesn't jump off the page at you. Really the only notable opponent he's faced is Medina and he looked good in that fight, winning nearly every round. Interestingly enough he had a much easier time with Medina than Uzcategui did, although he fought him later in his career. While Plant hasn't faced the best competition he has dominated the competition he's faced. Against the three opponents before fighting Medina, Plant lost a total of one round on the official judges scorecards. Uzcategui is definitely a step up for Plant but not so big a step that this fight won't be close.
Uzcategui is the bigger puncher and has the height and reach advantage against Plant. He has also faced slightly better opposition and is the man bringing the belt to the ring. Plant, meanwhile, moves better in the ring and has shown a good jab throughout his career but could show some ring rust, especially early. If Uzcategui can stay on the inside and keep Plant on the ropes and in the corners he will find plenty of success. What Plant needs to do is stick and move and pick his spots to sit down on his punches and make the champion pay. He also needs to do a better job of protecting his chin, no matter how good it's been and watch out for right hands. However this one plays out it should be a close one.
PREDICTION: This fight will be a close one and betting on the underdog Caleb Plant wouldn't be a bad idea. Giving up some early rounds will hurt him though and he will because of some ring rust. Rounds with little action will favor Plant but Jose Uzcategui will find enough stretches where he can unload and really be aggressive and because of those stretches he will get the close unanimous decision victory.
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| Uzcategui drilling Andre Dirrell with a straight right hand |
Despite being the IBF champion Uzcategui doesn't exactly have the most impressive resume. His three most notable wins came against Rogelio 'Porky' Media, Julius Jackson in what was Jackson's first career loss, and Andre Dirrell. While his record says he has two losses one of those losses was a disqualification for hitting Dirrell just after the bell in their first fight. Uzcategui was then attacked by Dirrell's uncle in a disgusting display. His other career loss came against Matt Korobov, who is hotter than ever after giving Jermall Charlo all he could handle. Uzcategui won his title in that second fight with Dirrell and will be making his first defense after fighting a 10-round bout following his victory over Dirrell.
Plant, who fights out of the orthodox stance, uses his feet much more than Uzcategui does but he is still far from slick. He likes to leave his lead hand low and has a bad habit of leaving his chin exposed. So far Plant hasn't paid the price for that and has shown a good chin. Offensively he has a nice left hook and a thudding right hand but he will certainly be at a power disadvantage against Uzcategui. Plant likes to stick his jab on the move and he should look to stay very busy with that punch on Sunday. He might show some ring rust though because he has been out of the ring for nearly a year.
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| Plant landing a hard right hand on Rogelio 'Porky' Medina |
Uzcategui is the bigger puncher and has the height and reach advantage against Plant. He has also faced slightly better opposition and is the man bringing the belt to the ring. Plant, meanwhile, moves better in the ring and has shown a good jab throughout his career but could show some ring rust, especially early. If Uzcategui can stay on the inside and keep Plant on the ropes and in the corners he will find plenty of success. What Plant needs to do is stick and move and pick his spots to sit down on his punches and make the champion pay. He also needs to do a better job of protecting his chin, no matter how good it's been and watch out for right hands. However this one plays out it should be a close one.
PREDICTION: This fight will be a close one and betting on the underdog Caleb Plant wouldn't be a bad idea. Giving up some early rounds will hurt him though and he will because of some ring rust. Rounds with little action will favor Plant but Jose Uzcategui will find enough stretches where he can unload and really be aggressive and because of those stretches he will get the close unanimous decision victory.
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