Anthony Dirrell plans to neutralize Caleb’s factory forces
Next, super middleweight fighter Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs) will face the challenge of former 168-pound champ Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (21-1, 12 KOs). The two lock horns on Wilder’s undercard against Helenius during the live broadcast from Barclays Center on Fox pay-per-view.
For those who even remotely know these two boxers, they must know that they have a healthy disdain for each other. Or, there’s no doubt The Dog doesn’t like Plant. For his money, Sweethands, ranked No. 2 (WBC), No. 3 (WBA), No. 3 (IBF) and No. 8 (WBO), is simply behaving too aloof for him to respect, as he said so on The Last Stand podcast with Brian Custer.
“In boxing, you’ll be cordial, that’s all. You are cordial, everyone. I’m not saying you have to be my friend, no one wants to hang out with you! But be cordial, be respectful and he is not! And Everybody Sees It, by Canleo [Alvarez] at [David] Benavidez to the one he fought. Just be cordial, just be respectful and I think that goes a long way. nobody sees that [from Plant]!”
GAIN A LITTLE, LOSE A LITTLE
This acute disdain does not mean that Dirrell, 37, lacks the respect he should have for an opponent. The Dog, who is ranked No. 4 (WBA), No. 4 (WBC) and No. 11 (IBF), takes it seriously. That’s why it’s as easy for Dirrell to ridicule Plant as it is to give him his due.
“Caleb started strong, I always say that. But I think he passed out when the rounds came and he just kept running and running and running. I mean you can’t do a lot better than Canelo did. Canelo tracked him down and caught him with a few shots and stopped him.
Yet it’s because the Flint, Michigan native can see Plant, 30, unhindered by the fog of blind anger that he believes he’s deduced the perfect strategy.
“It’s boxing, you have to make adjustments. We know he’s going to get on his bike, we know he’s going to move and we know he’s got good footwork. But it’s a way to reduce that and I plan to do it.
WHEN THE SMOKE DISAPPEARS
In the end though, while trust and speculation can be fun, the two will have to get in the ring to settle the matter the old fashioned way. Considering Dirrell is 1-1-1 in his last three games, it goes without saying that he can’t afford a loss. Especially at nearly forty. Meanwhile, Plant is coming back from his loss to Canelo. He certainly doesn’t want to suffer back-to-back losses himself. So when the rubber meets the road on this occasion, it will be very interesting to see how this feud is resolved!
By: Bakari Simpson