Caleb Plant

What’s Next for Caleb Plant?

Caleb Plant
Mario Serrano/Team Plant

On Sunday, January 13, Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (18-0, 10 KO) wrestled the IBF Super Middleweight strap from the boogeyman of the division, Jose Uzcategui.

The event as a whole was emotional, seeing Plant burst into tears after winning. In a few heartwarming moments after the bout, he honored the belt to his late daughter, as well as proposing to his long-time girlfriend and Premier Boxing Champions host, Jordan Hardy.

As a couple weeks have passed however, we are left with the lingering question–what’s next for Caleb Plant?


1. George Groves

Reuters

Though he is the new champion, and deservedly so, Caleb Plant is relatively unknown in the casual boxing fans eyes. Before looking to unify the belts with the top fighters in the division, Sweet Hands could continue to move himself into the spotlight by taking on top contenders like George Groves, Jesse Hart or Caleb Truax.

Given the recent history, as well as the draw of George Groves’ name, Groves would be the perfect fighter to challenge Plant first.

If Plant can defeat a tough fighter like Groves, his status in the boxing world would skyrocket, allowing him to take on the other top contenders or champions in the Super Middleweight division.


2. Callum Smith

Callum Smith

Action Images/Andrew Coulridge

If there’s one thing that Caleb Plant has proven to his fans, it’s that he fears nobody. He truly wants to take on the best that the Super Middleweight division has to offer, and he will make it known to any ears that will listen.

“I’m not exactly sure who [is next],” said Plant in a recent interview with Boxing Scene. “Hopefully the mandatory or a world champion. I only want to fight the best. I’m pretty sure I proved I’m not scared to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. We’re going to be bringing y’all some good fights.”

That being said, do not be surprised if you see Plant begin calling out one of the other champions for a unification bout, specifically Callum Smith.

The WBA and Ring champion has remained out of the ring since last September in his World Boxing Super Series championship bout against George Groves and will most likely be itching to get back in the ring against high-quality competition.


3. David Benavidez

Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing

Former WBC Champion David Benavidez wasted no time in calling out Calen Plant after he won his belt, claiming that he’ll “have [Plant] running for his life. I’m knocking him out either way.”

The two fighters’ styles seem to be perfect for each other, Plant being a quick counterpuncher that manipulates angles perfectly, and Benavidez being a brawler with a proficiency for cutting off the ring,

The two fighters have called each other out constantly over the past year, and, should Benavidez get through his upcoming fight against J’leon Love, this could make for a massive bout in May or June.

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