Caleb Plant Bio
Caleb Hunter Plant, born on July 8, 1992, in Ashland City, Tennessee, United States, is an American professional boxer recognized for his tenure as the IBF super middleweight champion from 2019 to 2021 and the WBA interim super middleweight champion from 2024 to 2025. Known by his ring name “Sweethands,” Plant has built a reputation for his orthodox fighting stance and powerful knockout ability, marking him as a prominent figure in the super middleweight division since his professional debut in 2014.
Early Life and Background
Caleb Plant grew up in Ashland City, Tennessee, where he began boxing at the age of nine. His early dedication to the sport led him to win the 2011 Golden Gloves Light heavyweight title, a significant amateur achievement. Plant compiled an amateur record of 97 wins and 20 losses and was an alternate for the 2012 Summer Olympics, showcasing his potential at a young age. These formative years laid the foundation for his professional career.
Path to Boxing
Plant transitioned to professional boxing in 2014, quickly making a name for himself with a first-round knockout in his debut fight. Early in his career, he demonstrated his skill and power by winning several fights by stoppage and decision. His disciplined orthodox style and tactical approach helped him climb the ranks, culminating in an IBF super middleweight title eliminator victory in 2018, which secured his mandatory challenger status.
Caleb Plant Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Caleb Plant began his professional career with a dominant first-round knockout victory over Travis Davidson in May 2014. He followed this with a string of wins, including notable victories by stoppage and unanimous decisions, demonstrating his versatility and ring intelligence. Plant’s early career was marked by steady progress through the super middleweight ranks, highlighted by a decisive win over Rogelio Medina in an IBF title eliminator in 2018, which positioned him for a world title shot.
IBF Super Middleweight Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Plant captured the IBF super middleweight title on January 13, 2019, by defeating José Uzcátegui via unanimous decision. Despite being an underdog, Plant scored two knockdowns during the fight and controlled the bout with his jab and movement. He successfully defended the title multiple times, including a third-round technical knockout of Mike Lee and a tenth-round stoppage of Vincent Feigenbutz. Plant’s reign was characterized by his tactical prowess and ability to neutralize opponents’ strengths.
In January 2021, Plant defended his title against Caleb Truax, winning by unanimous decision with a clean sweep on the scorecards. His reign culminated in a unification bout against Canelo Álvarez in November 2021, where Plant lost the IBF title via eleventh-round technical knockout, marking his first professional defeat.
WBA Interim Super Middleweight Champion Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Plant claimed the WBA interim super middleweight title, continuing to compete at a high level in the division. He secured the interim title with a ninth-round technical knockout victory over Trevor McCumby. Plant was scheduled to defend this title against Jose Armando Resendiz in 2025, a bout in which he faced significant adversity but ultimately lost in a major upset. Despite this setback, Plant remains a notable contender in the super middleweight class.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caleb Plant is known for his orthodox stance and effective jab, which he uses to control distance and pace. His boxing style emphasizes ring generalship, precise punching, and strategic movement. Plant’s ability to adapt mid-fight and maintain composure under pressure has been key to his success, supported by strong conditioning and tactical discipline.
Notable Events and Milestones
Plant’s career highlights include winning the IBF super middleweight title as an underdog, multiple successful title defenses, and his participation in the historic unification bout against Canelo Álvarez. His nickname “Sweethands” reflects his technical skill and knockout power, with 14 of his 23 wins coming by knockout. Plant’s resilience and competitive spirit have defined his professional journey.
Caleb Plant Career Wins
Throughout his career, Caleb Plant has amassed 23 wins out of 26 professional fights, with 14 victories by knockout. His career includes significant wins in the IBF and WBA super middleweight divisions, showcasing his ability to compete and succeed at the highest levels of boxing.
IBF Super Middleweight Highlights
Plant’s first major title win came in 2019 when he captured the IBF super middleweight championship. He defended this title successfully several times, including notable wins against Mike Lee and Vincent Feigenbutz. His reign lasted until 2021, when he lost the title to Canelo Álvarez in a unification bout. Plant’s performances in the IBF division established him as a top-tier super middleweight.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his IBF title reign, Plant has continued to compete at a high level, winning the WBA interim super middleweight title in 2024. His knockout victory over Trevor McCumby to claim the interim title stands out as a recent career highlight. Plant’s overall record reflects consistent success against a range of opponents in the super middleweight division.
Caleb Plant Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Caleb Plant’s family background beyond his immediate family are limited. He was born and raised in Tennessee and has maintained a private personal life outside of boxing.
Personal Life
Caleb Plant is married to Jordan Plant, a Fox Sports reporter. The couple met in 2016 and married in November 2019. They have a daughter named Alia Plant, who tragically passed away in 2015 due to a medical condition. Plant has faced personal hardships, including the loss of his mother in 2019, events that have shaped his life outside the ring.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Caleb Plant was active as the WBA interim super middleweight champion. He defended his title against Jose Armando Resendiz but suffered a surprising defeat in a fight where he was heavily favored. Despite the loss, Plant remains engaged in negotiations for future high-profile bouts, including a scheduled grudge match with Jermall Charlo set for early 2026. His 2025 season reflects both challenges and ongoing relevance in the super middleweight division.