Will anger get the best of Canelo Alvarez against Caleb Plant?

Canelo Alvarez does not like Caleb Plant as a person in what’s a bad-blood fight. Could his anger lead him astray against Plant on Nov. 6?

The upcoming super middleweight battle between boxing champions Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant for undisputed status switched lanes into a grudge match on Sept. 21 during their first press conference. Will the seething animosity impact Alvarez’s performance on fight night?

During their contentious press conference, Plant and Alvarez threw hands, with Alvarez getting the better of the action. He opened up a cut under Plant’s left eye, but the war of words has continued ever since.

Plant has mocked Alvarez on social media, insinuating that he is a PED abuser based on his 2018 suspension for clenbuterol. Even though there’s evidence that tainted meat could have caused the positive test, Alvarez still had to serve a suspension.

Plant’s words and actions have gotten under Alvarez’s skin, evidenced by their Sept. 21 altercation. Alvarez has been vocal about his disdain for Plant.

“It’s new for me to have this much bad blood with an opponent,” said Alvarez during his media workout. “It’s very different from normal, and it’s definitely the most animosity I’ve had with an opponent heading into a big fight.

Canelo Alvarez feels some type of way about Caleb Plant, but it shouldn’t distract him from his goal of becoming the unified super middleweight champion

“I’m sticking with my prediction of a knockout before round eight. The first couple of rounds will be difficult, but as the fight progresses, I am going to be able to get him out of there.”

Alvarez admitted that his feelings for Plant differ from past opponents. Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin intensely disliked each other heading into their 2018 rematch, but they only exchanged blows in the ring.

Alvarez’s anger towards Plant goes way beyond how he felt about Golovkin, but will it negatively affect him in the fight?

Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He has seen it all and knows how to handle himself in and out of the ring. Alvarez is unapologetic about his run-in with Plant and seems focused. He’s not the type of fighter to allow his emotions to get the best of him.

“I’m always ready,” said Alvarez during a recent media call. “I just can’t wait. I feel strong and fast. With all of the talk, it’s become personal. He crossed a line. But I have to remain focused because this is a very important fight for me.”

Alvarez added, “Caleb has good boxing skills. He has good movement and a good jab. But it’s nothing new for me. I know what I need to do. I need to be patient in the early rounds and then start doing my job.”

Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) is the undefeated IBF champion but has never fought anyone close to Alvarez’s level. Alvarez certainly doesn’t like Plant, but he’s not about to underestimate him. He laid out his game plan. Expect him to follow it.