In spite of defeat, Caleb Plant vs. Jermall Charlo still feels inevitable

You could practically scent the animosity between Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo weeks before they even stepped in the ring, just not together, unfortunately. Fans were wishing their May 31 co-headliners in Las Vegas would be nothing more than appetizers for the main course: A long-brewing grudge match that has been building since 2023.

That was the year Plant and Charlo made headlines, not for shots thrown in the ring, but for a backstage slap that went viral. Yeah, that slap, the one that escalated into boxing's version of a WWE promo, only it was very real and very personal. So, when both fighters signed agreements to appear on the same card at the MGM Grand, the implication was clear: Win your fights, and you're fighting one another next. Well, half of that plan worked out.

Charlo cruised to a comfortable victory over Thomas LaManna, showing off his jab, ring control, and that old pop in his right hand. He did not look like a fighter who'd been taking an 18-month sabbatical from the sport. Plant, on the other hand, was handed a difficult, frustrating, split-decision loss to Armando Reséndiz, a fight most assumed he'd take with minimal fanfare. Instead, what we witnessed was an upset, and now the Charlo fight is in peril. But there's the rub: It might not matter.

A loss, but not a knockout blow to the Charlo Bout

You know how in boxing (and life), timing is everything? Plant's loss couldn't have come at a worse time momentum-wise, but stakes- and story-wise? It somehow makes the Charlo fight that much more compelling. Allow me to explain.

The beef between these two goes way beyond rankings. This isn’t just about working toward a Canelo Alvarez mega-fight, although, we’ll get to that, it’s about pride. Charlo’s made it clear: Win or lose, he still wants his “lick back.” When asked post-fight about Plant’s loss, Charlo didn’t backpedal. He didn’t say, “Maybe I’ll wait until he wins another one.” Nope. He basically said: “I don’t care - I still want to fight him.” And you know what? That's the kind of energy this sport needs.

We've seen too many fights fall apart because a guy lost a bad loss or didn't look perfect last time out. But if there's something fans like more than a perfect record, it's legitimate hate and unfinished business. Whether Plant just got outworked or was dealing with that lingering right-hand injury he mentioned post-fight, people still want to see him and Charlo mix it up. And judging from the chatter on boxing Twitter and Reddit, that's not changing anytime soon.

Charlo's comeback looks real

Jermall Charlo's win over LaManna was less about shaking off ring rust, it was about the world being reminded he's still a player at 168 pounds. It was nearly two years since he'd last fought, and in the interim, the world of boxing has shifted radically. Canelo cemented his legacy. David Benavidez became a monster. And Charlo? He faded into the background somewhat.

Friday night's outing, though, was all his fans had to watch. He was crisp, disciplined, and most of all, confident. That last bit is important, especially if he's going to get in there with the likes of Caleb Plant, who, say what you will about the Reséndiz fight, is still one of the slickest boxers in the division when he's on his game.

A love story between boxing and betting

The best thing about fights like this one in the making is they attract not just hardcore fans, but casuals too. You know, guys who have no idea who trains whom, but they'll show up with buddies, beer, and maybe a little side bet just to make it interesting.

In fact, that’s why you’re seeing more cross-promotion between boxing and online casinos. It makes sense: Both are about risk, reward, and reading your opponent. Some fans are even hopping on online casino platforms to try their luck before the fight card even starts. And with a minimum deposit at most platforms being pretty modest, some as low as $10, it’s an easy way to get that adrenaline kick without betting the mortgage.

It's not for everyone, but it's hard to dispute how deeply boxing and betting culture are now interconnected. That little jolt of thrill when the odds shift, when a fighter is dropped early, yeah, it's a thrill. In a positive way, for the most part.

The road to Canelo runs through each other

Now, let's talk about the big picture. For both of these combatants, the Holy Grail remains the same: A bout with Canelo Alvarez. Plant's been there already, of course: He stepped into the ring with Canelo in 2021 and even had some early success before being stopped in the 11th. Charlo, on the other hand, is still chasing that golden ticket.

The reasoning goes as follows: The winner of a Plant-Charlo bout would be back in the Canelo sweepstakes. Despite Plant's stock dropping with the Reséndiz loss, a high-profile win over Charlo would put him firmly back in the mix. And for Charlo, a win over a former world champ and name value like Plant's is exactly the statement he needs.

Canelo isn't going to fight just anybody. He's not short on options, money, or legacy-defining wins. Plant and Charlo must make a compelling argument if they're going to get that payday and that legacy boost, and knocking each other out is a good place to start.