LOS ANGELES – Luka Plantic has waited for an opportunity to announce himself to the world since turning professional in 2018.
The 2020 Olympian wasn’t handed the promotional backing afforded to many amateur standouts, instead working his way up the WBC rankings while fighting in small venues and on undercards across Europe.
Now, the Croatian finally has his chance.
Plantic will face Lester Martinez for the WBC interim super-middleweight title Saturday night at Los Angeles’ Galen Center, with victory potentially putting him within touching distance of a world title shot.
“I feel very good and I’m very well prepared for this fight,” Plantic told BoxingScene after weighing in at 167 pounds for the biggest fight of his career. “My head, my body, my everything, it’s very strong and we do it tomorrow night, we change everything.”
Plantic will not be the only Croatian looking to claim world honors on Saturday.
Filip Hrgovic, who lived just a couple of miles from Plantic while the pair were growing up in Zagreb, will face Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF heavyweight title across the Atlantic.
Plantic believes both men will return home with championship gold.
“I think [we will both win], two belts are coming home to Croatia,” he said of his countryman.
Victory over Martinez would secure Plantic a shot at the full WBC title, which will be contested by Christian Mbilli and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on October 31.
Plantic already has history with Mbilli, having stopped the now world title challenger in the opening round of an amateur contest back in 2013.
“It’s too many years ago [for me to remember], I think it was 13 years ago,” Plantic said. “I don’t know. Everything has changed. Every year it’s changed.”
A professional rematch with Mbilli does not appear to be on Plantic’s mind, however, as he believes Canelo will walk away with the victory in October.
“Canelo is a better fighter than Mbilli,” he said.
And should Plantic eventually find himself sharing the ring with the Mexican superstar, he has no doubts about his chances.
“Why not? Of course [I can win],” Plantic said.
