Plant dethrones Uzcategui, wins IBF 168lb title

By Rocky Morales at ringside
Photos: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions

Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (18-0, 10 KOr) captured the IBF super middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over defending champion, Jose Uzcategui (28-3, 23 KOr) on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. Plant got off to a blazing fast start with two knockdowns in the first four rounds, each with left hooks.
Plantuzcategui
Uzcategui, however, remained the aggressor and came on strong in the middle rounds only to start fading in the late rounds. It was a war of attrition with Uzcategui looking fresher at the end while Plant was a bloody mess but comfortably ahead on the scorecards. Ultimately, Plant simply outboxed Uzcategui who was not busy enough and failed to keep his middle round momentum going. By unanimous scores of 116-110, 115-111 and 116-110, Plant becomes a world champion in his eighteenth professional bout.

“I’ve worked my whole entire life for this,” said Plant. “I buried my daughter in the process of trying to get this belt. I promised I would bring her this title and that is what I am going to do.

“I knew I caught him clean [when I knocked down Uzcategui], but I knew he wasn’t all the way out so I took my time,” continued Plant. “I stayed relaxed. I stuck to the game plan and got it done just like I said I would.

“This is overwhelming. I am a kid who came from nothing. I believed in myself and now I’ve been crowned king. Right now, I am not thinking ahead. I just want to embrace this moment and soak it in.”

* * *

“I did feel that I had the advantage heading into the fight,” said Uzcategui. “I went down because I was off balance, but I wasn’t hurt. He started to get tired around the sixth round, which was the plan. Caleb knew how to clinch and hold. He was smart. He knew how to stay away from the punches.

“I expected more movement and more boxing out of him,” continued Uzcategui. “I would love the rematch. I think everyone saw a great fight tonight. I gave him the chance at the title and I would hope he would give me the chance to win it back.”


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