Caleb Plant Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title in LA

IBF super middleweight titlist Caleb Plant showed off a vast array of weaponry including speed, agility and a sturdy chin in shutting out former champion Caleb Truax by unanimous decision. He just couldn’t get that knockout.

“I kind of hurt my hand early in the fight,” said Plant. “It made me hesitant.”

Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) wasn’t hesitant in proving to Truax (31-5-2, 19 KOs) and an empty Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles that he’s a real champion with his third defense of the world title.

He has Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on his mind and wanted to prove worthy.

Plant seemed miles ahead talentwise with Truax looking much too slow to fend off the champions quick combinations. Round after round were easily won by Plant as Truax seemed bewildered by the speed.

After nine carbon copy rounds that saw Plant dominate with jabs, quick rights and left hooks and uppercuts, a lull allowed Truax to finally connect with overhand rights. Still, Plant could not find that bomb he had promised to end the fight.

“I kind of wanted the stoppage. I’m a little disappointed my hand got hurt,” said Plant who had promised a knockout win. “I didn’t get touched really.”

After 12 rounds all three judges scored the fight 120-108 for Plant and opens the door for a possible unification bout with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who possesses the WBA and WBC super middleweight titles.

“I want to be the first undisputed super middleweight of all time. I feel I’m the best super middleweight in the world. You line them up Ill knock them down,” said Plant.

Other Bouts

Joey Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs) brutally floored Isiah Seldon (14-4-1) twice in winning by knockout in the first round of their middleweight clash. A crisp right cross hammered Seldon during an exchange. Then another right delivered Seldon for the final time at 2:15 of the first round for a knockout win for Spencer.

“People aren’t taking my punches,” said Spencer. “I’m getting stronger.”

Former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy (28-1-1, 14 KOs) defeated All Rivera (21-5) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds in a methodical super lightweight fight that saw no knockdowns.

Barthelemy switched back and forth between southpaw and orthodox against Filipino southpaw Rivera but never seemed able to take advantage of his vast experience. Instead, he out-pointed Rivera in a solid but unimpressive performance, especially if he seeks a match against any of the current world champions.

Scores were 100-90, 97-93 and 99-91 for Barthelemy.

The Cuban super lightweight said he invites a match against any of the super lightweight or welterweight world titlists.

Prelim Bouts

A heavyweight clash saw former US Marine Michael Coffie (12-0, 9 KOs) deliver a left uppercut to smash Darmani Rock (17-1) to the floor in the third round. Somehow Rock beat the count but couldn’t beat the left hook to the temple for a second knockdown and was stopped at 59 seconds of the third round.

A middleweight showdown saw Brandyn Lynch (10-1-1, 8 KOs) and Marcos Hernandez (14-4-2, 3 KOs) fight to a split draw after eight rounds.

Lynch, a relative of actor Eddie Murphy, may have been slightly rusty after more than 14 months away from the prize ring. Though he was the busier fighter he left plenty of openings for Hernandez to take advantage, especially with left hook counters.

Hernandez, who trains with Henry Ramirez in Riverside, California, just recently fought in a losing cause against Alantez Fox. He also has experience against top fighters and took advantage of the lapse in defense by Lynch. After eight rounds one judge saw it 78-74 for Hernandez and another 77-75 for Lynch. A third judge scored it 76-76 for a split draw.

It was a fair decision.

In a light heavyweight match former amateur star Atif Oberlton (1-0) won by stoppage over Nathan Sharp (4-3) in the third round in his pro debut. Body shots ended the night for Sharp who was stopped at 48 seconds of the third round.

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