By Ryan Burton
Rising super middleweight prospect Caleb Plant (14-0) fights for the first this year on Saturday against veteran Thomas Awimbono (25-6-1). The 10 round bout tops a FS1 card that takes place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will defend his title against Gerald Washington at the same venue, headlining a triple header that will air on Fox preceding the FS1 card.
To prepare for the fight, Plant sparred against world rated George Groves in Las Vegas. Plant believes that the sparring sessions served him well, validating the confidence he has in his abilities.
"George is #2 in the world. He's been on top of it for a while. He's a sharp guy. We've been doing our thing. We've been handling him. We've been making different adjustments and have just been smart in there," he explained.
"(It proves) that I am on that level. That's what I learned. I known and I've told myself this for years but when you actually get in there and do it and show yourself it just adds to your confidence and your skill set. It just proves what we have been telling ourselves."
The 24-year-old Plant said that his upcoming fight is just the start of what he expects to be a very big year. He is confident that he will have a belt around his waist by year's end.
"I want to win a world title by the end of this year. I was just moved to #15 by the IBF so now it is just about moving up some more spots, getting the right fights and getting the fights we need to get ourself a title shot," Plant told BoxingScene.com.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter
