FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The middle child between two sisters, Caleb Plant was born on July 8, 1992, in “The Music City.” His parents couldn’t afford a crib for their newborn so they used a dresser drawer.

Boxing was Plant’s outlet. His father Richie, a former kickboxer, introduced his son to combat sports at age nine. Plant went on to compile a 97-20 amateur record, winning several championships in Tennessee.

TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

Plant made his pro debut at 21, in May 2014. He stopped Travis Davidson in 47 seconds at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.

Plant won his first five fights, four of them inside the distance. But in January 2015, tragedy struck. Plant’s only child, daughter Alia Jean, died from an extremely rare condition she was born with.

Before she passed, Plant promised her that he would become a world champion one day. He returned to the ring two months later, scoring a first-round KO against Daniel Henry in what was scheduled to be his first six-rounder.

In June 2015, Plant elevated his opposition, taking on Juan Carlos Rojas at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Plant patiently broke Rojas down, stopping him in the fourth round. By now, the Nashville native was gaining a reputation for being a smooth boxer with heavy fists.

After a first-round TKO over Zoltan Zera in August, Plant returned the ring just a month later, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Jamar Freeman.

On Oct 31, 2015, Caleb outpointed veteran Tyron Brunson via another eight-round unanimous decision. His record had climbed to 13-0 (10 KOs) when he fought in his first 10-round main event, in August 2016. The bout took place at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and was nationally televised by ESPN. Plant dominated, shutting DeAngel out to win by scores of 100-89 on all three of the judge’s scorecards.

Plant followed up that win with a 10-round unanimous decision over Ghana’s Thomas Awimbono in February 2017.

In September 2017, Plant won another 10-round unanimous decision, over journeyman Andrew Hernandez, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

PROVING HIS METTLE

On February 17, 2018, Plant stepped up against former world title challenger Rogelio “Porky” Medina, live on FOX, from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.

Plant was the superior boxer, flummoxing Mexico’s Medina with his unique combination of skill and swagger, winning a wide 12-round unanimous decision. Scorecards read 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.

Plant was ready for a world title. He was granted that opportunity on January 13, 2019, when he took on IBF World 168-pound Champion Jose Uzcategui at the Microsoft Center in Los Angeles.

The headlining fight drew a peak audience of 986,000 on FS1. It was a star-making performance. Plant out-boxed and out-brawled the favored Uzcategui, dropping the Venezuelan once in the second, and again in the fourth, and overcoming a cut over his right eye to win a 12-round unanimous decision.

Two cards read 116-110 while a third judge had it 115-110.

An emotional Plant said afterward, “I worked my whole entire life for this, boxing 17 hard years. This is overwhelming. I believed in myself and now I’ve been crowned king.

“I buried my daughter in the process of getting this belt. I promised I would bring her this, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

A NEW CHAPTER

Plant was now 18-0 (10 KOs). On July 20, 2019, Plant made the first defense of his title, facing Mike Lee in a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX headliner. "Sweethands" lived up to his moniker, overpowering Lee on his way to a one-sided, third-round stoppage win.

A HAPPY HOMECOMING

On Saturday February 15, 2020, Plant returned to his home state of Tennessee for his next bout, taking on hard-hitting, former interim world champion Vincent Feigenbutz at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It was the first time Plant fought at home since turning professional. A raucous crowd turned up to see their native son turned world champion. Plant didn't disappoint, showing a variety of skills, to go along with power, speed and swag.

Plant dominated from the opening bell, breaking Feigenbutz down and inducing the stoppage at 2:23 of the 10th round in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event. It was a pound for pound performance. 

“I was super fueled, I could have gone all night,” Plant said. “The whole city came out. Nashville stand up. I felt great. I was relaxed, sharp, I told you guys I would stop this fight before the 12th round."

“Everybody knows I want that unification fight with David Benavidez,” said Plant. “You know who the best 168-pounder is. If you want that, you have to come see me. I’ve been wanting that fight. I’ve been asking for it. I’m tired of waiting.”

Solidifying Pole Position

On January 30, 2021, Plant headlined FOX PBC Fight Night versus former world champion Caleb Truax live from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. He successfully defended his title with a masterful unanimous decision victory.

Using blazing hand speed, a stiff jab and punches from multiple angles, Plant battered Truax and kept him off balance over the course of the 12 rounds. It was a game effort from Truax, but Plant proved to be too much to handle. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Plant 120-108, a 12-round shutout.

The fight drew a peak audience of 2.019 million viewers during the FOX PBC Fight Night live broadcast. The main event portion of the telecast averaged 1.887 million viewers, proving yet again that Plant is one of the biggest stars in the sport of boxing.

AN EPIC BATTLE FOR THE UNDISPUTED CROWN

On November 6, 2021, Plant and WBA/WBC/WBO World 168-pound Champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez squared off to crown the first ever undisputed super middleweight champion. The highly anticipated showdown took place in front of a sell-out crowd of 16,586 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME pay-per-view.

The two heated rivals had got into it during their inaugural press conference announcing the bout and the action heated up from there. Yet the fight itself exceeded all expectations. Plant used his athleticism, boxing skills and high ring IQ to control the ring space. The action see-sawed as both champions had their moments.

On this night, Plant proved himself to be elite but Canelo was a tick better, finding the punches he needed to break Plant down and stop him in the eleventh round. 

KO of the Year

Plant returned to the ring in a major way on October 15, 2022, in a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This was Plant's first bout in the Big Apple. He gave the Brooklyn faithful a finish they'll never forget. Facing nemesis and former two-time 168-pound champion Anthony "The Dog" Dirrell, Plant outboxed his counterpart for much of the night and then ended the battle with a crunching left hook that left Dirrell flat on his back. No count was needed. 

"This win felt good,” said Plant. “You've heard about how much he hates me, but my head and my heart is what won me this fight. I was in control the whole time. My coach told me to stay patient and ease in and that's what we did. Then, boom!
 
"I'm ready for whatever comes next. I'm going to spend some time with my family, but then I'm ready for the biggest fights that we can make."

Plant kept his word. On March 25, 2023, he took unbeaten, two-time WBC world super middleweight champion David Benavidez in a highly-anticipated grudge match at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The build-up was as exciting and tense as any bout witnessed in modern times. 

The fight didn't disappoint either. In the end, Benavidez retained his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title with a bruising unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

The showdown turned into the intriguing clash of styles that many predicted it would be, as Plant’s boxing acumen carried the early action until the brute force and high-volume power punching of Benavidez took over. After 12 grueling rounds in front of a sold out arena, the two fighters squashed their years long beef, embracing and expressing their mutual respect.

“It’s a big rivalry but that’s what boxing is all about,” said Plant. “We came here and settled it like men. I take nothing from David. We haven’t been the best of friends but we got into the ring and we settled it like men. That’s what you’re supposed to do. He’s a helluva fighter.”