The Battle of the Century: Benavidez vs Plant

March 26, 2023, 3:40 a.m. Sports

In the early hours of September 15, 1909, in the town of Reno, Nevada, two young men stepped into a boxing ring to do battle. One was a Mexican-American named Jose “Joe” Benavidez; the other was an African-American named Jack “The Giant Killer” Plant. They were both just 20 years old.

The fight was billed as “The Battle of the Century” and it lived up to its hype. For 25 rounds, the two men went toe-to-toe, exchanging punches with neither man giving an inch. In the end, it was Benavidez who emerged victorious, winning by a split decision.

It was a momentous victory not just for Benavidez, but for Mexican-Americans and African-Americans alike. Here was proof that two men from different racial backgrounds could come together and compete on equal footing.

The fight was also a sign of changing times. In the early 1900s, boxing was a sport that was largely dominated by white athletes. But the success of Benavidez and Plant showed that people of color could succeed in the ring as well.

The Battle of the Century was a truly momentous event in boxing history. It proved that two men from different racial backgrounds could come together and compete on equal footing. It was also a sign of changing times, as boxing became more inclusive of athletes from all backgrounds.