LAS VEGAS –– Former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and Mexican knockout Armando Reséndiz, plus two-division champion Jermall Charlo and veteran contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna previewed their respective showdowns during a virtual press conference on Thursday before they co-headline PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video on Saturday, May 31 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Plant will defend his Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title in the main event against Reséndiz, while Charlo begins his super middleweight campaign against LaManna in the co-main event of action beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The show will stream exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
CALEB PLANT
“Expect fireworks. Me and my team have been grinding hard and once that bell rings, I’m gonna step on him.
“Armando thinks he can beat me, and that’s enough to piss me off. He knows what’s coming to him.
“I’m not gonna be distracted from the fight that’s in front of me. It’s happened so many times where fighters get so worried about the next fight, and they don’t win the fight in front of them. I’m not letting that happen. Armando is coming to take my spot, but I’m not gonna let that happen.
“The first thing on my mind is to put on a great performance on May 31. I want Charlo, Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, Diego Pacheco, and anyone else who’s up there. Then I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be. I’m gonna pick them off one by one.
“Some fighters lose and their confidence is shattered. Maybe their confidence was fake to begin with. A loss has never made me think I couldn’t do what I’m capable of. I take those experiences and learn to make adjustments, which a lot of fighters aren’t able to do.
“Experience isn’t something you can buy or borrow. You have to walk through the fire. I’ve been on the biggest stages in boxing. Each time you get those experiences, you take it over to the next fight.
“I’m too strong, I’m too fast and I’m too slick for Armando. I have a great team with me. We’re the A-Team. We’re coming to win and we’re going to win.
“I have the desire to win and the desire to be a champion. Even with the success I’ve had, that desire doesn’t dim at all.
“I feel strongly that you should have fun doing what you love to do. Boxing is the place where I can let go. When that bell rings, that’s when I can be myself.”
ARMANDO RESENDIZ
“I’m really looking forward to this fight. I’m in excellent shape because I’m facing an elite fighter who’s accomplished a lot. My dream has always been to fight against the best and this is making my dream come true. We’re going to give the fans a great fight.
“I know that Caleb remembers me from those sparring sessions. I believe it was right before the Canelo fight. I know that I have the tools to overcome this challenge.
“I think Caleb has some selective memory about our sparring. They took me out of the gym for a reason. I’m gonna show him exactly how much I’ve grown on May 31.
“I don’t care about anyone else but my team and my family. I’m here making my dreams come true. I’m a Mexican fighter and people are gonna see what I’m capable of. It’s not because I think I can win, it’s because I know I can win.
“Training camp has been going great and I’ve had really good sparring sessions. I’m feeling really confident and I’m ready to get it on.
“Like the Mexican fighter that I am, I always put my best foot forward. I believe in what I can do. My career has had highs and lows, but I’ve realized that there’s no opponent that I will fear.
“The fights that I’ve had in the past will allow me to be even stronger this time around.”
JERMALL CHARLO
“This is gonna be a fight. I gotta do what I always do. He’s gonna come at me and make it a fight. I expect the best out of him and I’ll be ready to make the adjustments.
“Thomas LaManna is standing in the way of my goals and my dreams. But I’m ready to stand in the paint with him.
“I’m ready to get back in the ring. Those two years actually helped me. They made me better. Not only have I not taken damage, but they’ve made me stronger.
“I’m back at 100%. I feel stronger and better. I’m fully back. My team is better and everything is falling into place perfectly. I got Houston back on my back. I can carry them now.
“There’s bigger fish to fry. I just hope Thomas can go back to his family happy after.”
THOMAS LAMANNA
“We’re gonna shock the world on May 31. That’s what we’re coming to do.
“I’m glad this fight is finally here. The timing is right and I’m excited and ready. We’ll both be in that ring and ready to rumble.
“He is who he is in this sport. He’s been off for a while, but he’s never lost. This is the biggest fight of my life and I’ve been training like it.
“I’ve gotten a lot more experience since I fought Erislandy Lara. The best lesson in life is experience. Every day you get better. I’ve gotten more comfortable with these last nine wins.
“Once the call came for this fight, I answered. I’m here to write my own legacy.”
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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