By: Sean Crose
“I’ve always worked hard,” former IBF super-middleweight champion Caleb Plant told members of the media just days after his October 14 game against former world titleholder Anthony Dirrell. The 21-1 Plant has never given fans or analysts reason to doubt his work ethic. During his final battle, Plant learned that hard work isn’t always enough. Sure, Plant performed pretty well against iconic Canelo Alvarez last year. In fact, Canelo even admitted to being disappointed with Plant in the first part of their game. In the end, however, Canelo’s patience and strength caught up with Plant, leading to the native Tennessean being brutally stopped by Canelo in the 11th match.
However, that was later. And coming Saturday night in Brooklyn, as part of Deontay Wilder’s much-anticipated comeback fight, Plant will cross the ropes at Barclay’s Center to remind the world he’s still a force. should be taken into account. “It’s been a minute since I’ve been in the ring,” Plant admitted. However, Plant makes it clear that he’s still putting in the hard work he’s credited for. “When we got there there was no bullshit,” he said of the training. “Breadman (famous coach Thomas Edwards), my dad, me, it was a great chemistry.”
Of course, people wondered what Plant had planned for the future. 38-year-old Dirrell is, after all, considered to be on the hill. However, the 30-year-old Plant made it clear to the press that his thoughts are in the here and now – or rather the Barclay Center on Saturday night. “I really don’t think about this war,” he said. “Right now I have to focus on the task at hand.” Considering the fact that there is an overt animosity between him and Dirrell, it’s no surprise that Plant has his eye on this weekend.
“He has never successfully defended his title in all of his games,” Plant said of Dirrell’s criticism, “and he will not successfully defend the title in his entire career because because after Saturday night he left here, he retired. Plant was asked if he considered the fight with Dirrell personal. “All my matches are personal,” he replied. The Plant-Dirrell bout runs for 12 innings and will be the co-main event of Saturday’s Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius heavyweight bout. Master Card will be streamed live on Fox Pay Per View.
