Caleb Plant: Winning A World Title Was A Goal, Was Never THE Goal

NASHVILLE—The only takeaway for Caleb Plant in celebrating his first full year as a major titlist, is that there remains far more work to be done.

“It means a lot to celebrate my one-year anniversary as the super middleweight champion of the world,” Plant (19-0, 11KOs) told BoxingScene.com. “But I don’t to look back at what I’ve done to be satisfied with where I’m at. Winning this world title has never been about the praise—it’s fine that it comes with it, but that’s never been what I’m about.

“Winning this world title, it was A goal. It was never THE goal.”

Defending the title in front of familiar faces will be Plant’s next order of business. The 27-year old Tennessee native will headline the February 15 edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, just over 30 minutes from his Ashland City hometown.

Plant faces Germany’s Vincent Feigenbutz (31-2, 28KOs), who comes armed with a 10-fight win streak including five straight knockout wins to make his way to the mandatory challenger position as he fights in the United States for the first time in his eight-year career.

For Plant, it’s the second defense of the title he claimed in a 12-round win over Jose Uzcategui last January in Los Angeles. This past Monday marked the one year anniversary of his title reign, much of which has been spent bringing the belt home for the first time in his career.

The bout with Feigenbutz accomplishes this goal along with serving as his first pro fight anywhere in Tennessee, having fought as close as Birmingham, Alabama (roughly 2 ½ hours south of Nashville). In fact, he’s fought more often in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas including his most recent bout, a 3rd round knockout of previously unbeaten Mike Lee last July.

The homecoming for Plant is also a long overdue return to championship boxing in Nashville, having not hosted a major title fight since Frankie Liles scored a 12-round decision over Jaffa Ballogou in this very venue (known as the Nashville Arena at the time) more than 22 years ago.

Plant was all of five years old at the time, and still a good four years away from taking up the sport. There’s been no looking back ever since, especially to stop and celebrate what he’s achieved.

“I’m honored to be defending my title at home for the first time,” notes Plant. “Not the only time, the first of many more to come.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox