Tag Archives: Anthony Dirrell

Posted on 04/05/2022

By: Hans Themistode

No matter how unlikely his dreams and ambitions appeared to be, Caleb Plant believed it was preordained for him to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion of all time. With Plant already in possession of the IBF 168 pound crown, all that was left for Plant to do was defeat arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world in Canelo Alvarez…no easy task.

Although many believed Plant was in over his head, he battled Alvarez on mostly even ground during their November 2021 showdown. But, despite his efforts, Plant eventually crumbled underneath Alvarez’s relentless pressure, suffering the first defeat of his career via 11th round stoppage.

With the sting of defeat still hanging over his head, Plant is ready to dust himself off and make his way back up the super middleweight ladder. Presently, as Plant works tirelessly on his craft, he’s also sifting through multiple names that have been presented to him for his ring return. While he hasn’t made his decision as of yet, the Nashville Tennessee native isn’t looking for a soft touch.

“There’s a couple names on the table that we’re trying to work on and get figured out,” said Plant on Thaboxingvoice. “I’m looking to get the biggest name, the biggest fight on my way back, then take it up from there.”

Amongst a long list of names Plant is currently mulling over, is former two-time super middleweight champion, Anthony Dirrell. For the better part of the past 12 months, Dirrell has made his feelings well known that he simply can’t stand Plant, even going as far as to say that he “hates” the former IBF trinket holder.

At the age of 37, Dirrell has struggled in the ring as of late. In September of 2019, Dirrell was violently stopped in the ninth round against David Benavidez, resulting in his WBC title getting stripped from him. In 2020, Plant failed to compete at all. For his return in 2021 against Kyrone Davis, Dirrell fought lethargically, resulting in a split decision draw.

Regardless of the lackluster results, Dirrell did bounce back at the tail end of 2021. The Flint, Michigan, native scored a highlight-reel worthy knockout over journeymen Marcos Hernandez.

Throughout most of Dirrell’s career, the 37-year-old has swapped fists with some of the best fighters that the division has to offer. Still, despite his well-established resume, in Plant’s opinion, a showdown between them wouldn’t be competitive.

“He can’t f*ck with me, on any level. He can’t f*ck with me period.”

Posted on 03/14/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Becoming an undisputed world champion was preordained in the mind of Caleb Plant.

The former IBF super middleweight champion was steadfast in his belief, despite taking on whom many consider the pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport in Canelo Alvarez. While Plant gave the Mexican star everything he could handle, the confetti fell upon Alvarez’s head as he picked up the victory during their November 6th showdown.

With Plant now beltless, he’ll begin his long road back up the super middleweight ladder by taking on fellow former titlist, Anthony Dirrell. As first reported by BoxingScene.com, both Plant and Dirrell have agreed to face one another next, in a yet-to-be-determined venue and date.

In the case of Flint, Michigan’s Dirrell, a showdown against Plant will be viewed as a lofty consolation prize. Initially, the former two-time super middleweight belt holder had expressed a desire to face Alvarez following his jaw-dropping fourth-round knockout win over fringe contender, Marcos Hernandez at the tail end of 2021.

However, with Alvarez electing to take on WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, Dirrell has now set his sights on Plant. For the better part of the past 12 months, Dirrell has openly described his disdain for the former IBF titlist.

In addition to Dirrell landing the opportunity to settle his differences with Plant in the ring, the winner of their upcoming contest will have an even greater incentive waiting. As claimed by BoxingScene.com, the winner of Plant vs. Dirrell will face the winner of the upcoming showdown between David Lemieux and David Benavidez. The two are slated to face off on May 21st, in Phoenix, Arizona for the vacant WBC interim 168 pound crown.

Posted on 12/22/2021

By: Hans Themistode

If you sat down with Anthony Dirrell and had a candid conversation with him about Caleb Plant, the former super middleweight belt holder’s face will screw up in disgust.

The 37-year-old has never kept his feelings about the Nashville, Tennessee native a secret. In fact, a few days prior to Plant stepping into the ring against Canelo Alvarez, Dirrell couldn’t hold his tongue anymore as he ripped into him.

“How he acts is unreasonable,” said Dirrell to a group of reporters. “It just doesn’t sit well with me. He’s an asshole.”

In addition to Dirrell despising Plant for his overall personality, he heavily chastised him for the level of opposition he’s faced since winning his world title against Jose Uzcategui in 2019.

“He fought bums after he got the belt, period.”

Although Dirrell has expressed his deep disdain for Plant over and over again, the 29-year-old ignored him as he had his eyes set on history. On November 6th, earlier this year at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Plant attempted to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion of all time. The one-man standing between Plant and what he believed was his destiny, was pound for pound star Canelo Alvarez.

While Plant was considered a sizable underdog heading in, he ignored the betting market and fought Alvarez on mostly even terms. Nevertheless, despite Plant’s will to win, Alvarez proved to be a cut above, stopping the slick hitting southpaw in the 11th round.

As the rivalry between Plant and Alvarez has now officially come to a close, the former IBF super middleweight titlist has turned his attention towards Dirrell. Heading into his showdown against Alvarez, Plant did his best to ignore the critiques of his fellow former titlist. However, while he mostly kept quiet, he heard Dirrell’s words loud and clear.

“It seems like he’s had a lot to say about me,” said Plant during an interview with FightHype.com. “If he don’t like me, he should do something about it.”

Ironically enough, Dirrell was last seen in the ring on the same night as Plant. The rough and rugged contender registered a fourth-round stoppage victory in the co-main event of Plant vs. Alvarez against Marcos Hernandez. Following the win, Dirrell audaciously called for a showdown against Alvarez.

In spite of his callouts, Plant is convinced that he hasn’t done enough to warrant a shot at the pound-for-pound star. If, however, Dirrell wants to prove himself worthy of a matchup against Alvarez, Plant believes a showdown against himself makes all the sense in the world.

“He feels like he deserves the Canelo fight but his last two fights he’s fought middleweights, one of them he had a draw against,” continued Plant. “He made out good this last fight but everyone knows how good of a fight I put up against Canelo. They know how well I did. If he wants to prove he’s worthy of that fight then beat me.”

Posted on 08/01/2021

By: Hans Themistode

A showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant was thought to be next on both men’s radar. With Alvarez holding the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine super middleweight titles, and with Plant in possession of the IBF belt, the pair sat down at the negotiating table to work out terms on a fight deal.

Yet, as the doors closed shut behind them, both 168-pound belt holders emerged from their discussions apoplectic with what took place. According to Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), Alvarez was offered a guarantee of at least $40 million, plus pay-per-view upside, amongst other concessions. The IBF titlist went on to say that although his team bent over backward to placate Alvarez and his requests, their demands were “absurd” and he was forced to leave the negotiating table.

Now, with Alvarez vs. Plant reportedly dead, Anthony Dirrell views this as the perfect opportunity to throw his name into the mix.

“Hey Caleb, come on man, you didn’t get the Canelo fight, let’s fight,” said Dirrell during an interview live on FS1.

Dirrell, 36, is anxious to wrap gold around his waist for a third time. His most recent title reign lasted just over six months before it was truncated at the hands of David Benavidez. The two faced off in September of 2019 at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. While the opening rounds were closely contested, Benavidez dominated down the stretch, stopping his man in the ninth round.

Since then, Dirrell (33-2-2, 24 KOs) has made only one appearance in the ring which took place earlier this year. The former two-time 168-pound titlist locked horns against 160-pound fringe contender Kyrone Davis. Despite being a heavy favorite, Dirrell struggled throughout and was forced to settle for a split decision draw.

Although Dirrell’s last victory came two years ago against Avni Yildirim, that hasn’t stopped the Flint Michigan native from chasing a title shot against Plant.

The Nashville, Tennessee product has yet to reveal his future plans but did reiterate that he would like to return to the ring before the year comes to a close. Plant recently defended his IBF crown for a third time earlier this year in January. The 28-year-old made it look incredibly easy against former titlist, Caleb Truax, as he danced his way to a unanimous decision victory, winning every round on all three judges’ scorecards.

Posted on 02/26/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Anthony Dirrell isn’t exactly looking past fringe contender Kyrone Davis, but he does view a win over him as somewhat of a formality. The former two-time super middleweight champion is set to take on Davis this Saturday night at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles California.

For Davis, he’s spent the vast majority of his career campaigning between 154 and 160 pounds. So with his contest against Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) set to take place at a career-high weight for him, Dirrell simply doesn’t see any advantages his opponent has over him.

“I’m faster and I’m bigger,” said Dirrell during a zoom press conference. “It’s a lose-lose for him. I think he bit off a little more than he can chew.”

Dirrell, 36, has spent roughly one and a half years idle on the sidelines. The Flint Michigan native was last seen on the wrong end of a knockout loss at the hands of former WBC belt holder David Benavidez. Regardless of the loss to both Benavidez and Badou Jack in 2015, Dirrell is under the impression that he’s unbeatable as long as his preparation is on point and his mind is in the right place.

“I know what I bring to the table. If I train the right way, nobody can beat me.”

For Dirrell, he’ll get a chance to prove whether the time away from the ring has made him a better fighter or simply deteriorated his skills. Their main event is slated as part one of a WBC eliminator contest. Part two comes roughly two weeks later when David Benavidez squares off against Ronald Ellis.

At the moment, Dirrell isn’t focused on what could ultimately result in another title shot and a bit of revenge on Benavidez should he come out with the win. Instead, he’s locked in on Davis and Davis alone.

As for how Dirrell views their contest shaking out, he used the words of Davis against him.

At some point, Dirrell was told that his opponent is one who enjoys doing yoga. But while it tends to relax those who do it, Dirrell plans on implementing his own twist to the yoga lesson he’ll be teaching Davis this Saturday night.

“He said he do yoga so I’m a stretch him out.”