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5 Lesser-Known Facts About Caleb Plant

Published 01/30/2021, 7:00 AM EST

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Nicknamed ‘Sweethands’, current IBF world champion Caleb Plant, is one of the most intriguing fighters on the roster. The unbeaten world champion has been a professional for just six years and has already alarmed the boxing world with his unprecedented achievements.

However, Caleb Plant has faced different phases outside the boxing ring. Some of them have helped him reach the pinnacle of the sport. But, Plant has also faced many dark days in his life that have helped him become who he is today.

Caleb Plant will defend his IBF world title against Caleb Truax on January 30, before turning his attention to the other super-middleweight champions. So, here’s a look at 5-lesser known facts about the super-middleweight elite, before he enters the ring again.

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Caleb Plant- How far has the champion come?

Boxing fans are quite aware of Plant’s fierce fists that have knocked out 12 of his 20 opponents. But, he also has fierce footwork and we can bill ‘Sweet Hands’ as a complete fighter for the right reasons.

4-time Kickboxing champion

Plant has won the IKF kickboxing title four times. Not a lot of people are aware of this, but Plant has been a fighter all his life. Considering his kickboxing experience, he could have transitioned into the MMA world. Nevertheless, Plant chose to box as a professional and opted for the ring over the cage.

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Daughter- Who gave him the spirit

Plant went through a dark phase when his infant daughter had to battle for her life, while he was solely focused on boxing. According to the IBF champion, he derives energy from those days as his daughter lost the battle. Having lost his daughter, Plant understands the intensity of life and has added another reason to retain himself as the best in the sport. It is based on a promise he made to his daughter.

11 fights in the first two years

Plant made his boxing debut in 2014 and was super active for the first two years. Though he is still one of the most active fighters in the sport, the first two years saw him appear 11 times in just 24 months.

‘Sweethands’ registered 8 wins via KO and three wins via decision to advance himself in the title ride. Although he didn’t become a world champion back then, Plant had already made himself a popular name with the super activeness.

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Losing his mother

Another tragic loss came in Plant’s life when his mother Beth Plant was fatally shot by a police officer in 2019. According to the Guardian, Beth Plant tried to charge a police officer with a knife on their way to the hospital. That’s when the officer shot her. The incident scratches the IBF super-middleweight champion to this day and is unknown to his several fans.

Love for cars and Chevy Impala

While Plant has seen immense sadness in his life, he knows how to cherish his success and victory. ‘Sweethands’ is fond of cars and all thanks to his lucrative pay-checks, the American pugilist has got some of the best wheels in his garage. He has a convertible Chevy Impala and Plant loves to flex his big toys.

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In conversation with Boxing Scene, the IBF champion said, “As a kid me and my dad always loved old school cars, classic and muscle so I knew one day when I got to a good place in my boxing career, I’d have some.”

The 28-year-old is yet to become a boxing great, but has all the chances of reaching the required level to have his name uttered in the same breath as the greats. If he defends his title against Caleb Truax on Jan 30, he can secure a showdown against Canelo Alvarez or Billy Joe Saunders in the future.

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Do you see Caleb Plant becoming a legend at the 168 lbs division?

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Written by:

Raj Sarkar

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A senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports, Raj Sarkar is a mass media graduate who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to his current role, he has worked with the MMA team at EssentiallySports and has interviewed prominent fighters such as Ritu Phogat and 'The Red King' Rory MacDonald. He combined his bachelor's degree with his adoration for combat sports and has a combined 2000 plus bylines in MMA and boxing over the last two years.
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