Caleb Plant didn’t let the referee stop him from completing his post-fight celebration after a ‘Knockout of the Year’ candidate in 2022.
Caleb Plant took out his frustration from a title loss to Canelo Alvarez with a vicious knockout and post-fight celebration against Anthony Dirrell.
Following his first career defeat to Alvarez and losing his IBF super middleweight title, Plant returned to the ring less than one year later against Dirrell in a co-main event slot. Many wondered how Plant would respond after suffering his first setback, but he quickly toned down any concerns from fans and his corner fast and in a hurry.
After a heated pre-fight buildup, which included discussions of race, Plant dominated and frustrated Dirrell over the first eight rounds. In Round 9, Plant lured Dirrell forward and made him pay with a wicked left hook to the body, followed by another hook to the head.
Dirrell immediately went unconscious and the crowd in attendance was stunned at Plant’s knockout blow. Plant added insult to injury with a controversial post-fight celebration, in which he pretended to ‘bury’ Dirrell.
Despite the referee’s behest to stop the celebration, Plant lightly shoved the official and finished his celebration. The commentators were aghast at the sight of Plant and his post-fight antics.
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Caleb Plant ‘buried’ Anthony Dirrell with a one-punch knockout in 2022
During the post-fight press conference, Plant gave a chilling explanation behind his celebration.
“I just let him know it was easy, it was a complete shutout…until he went to sleep,” Plant said. “I was just burying the beef between us, that’s all. I’m sure all of you heard how [Dirrell] hates me and how he said he will never let a white boy beat him.
“Let me tell you something – skin color doesn’t win fights, skills win fights.” (h/t talkSPORT)
Plant went on to fight for the interim WBC super middleweight title, falling to David Benavidez by unanimous decision. But the talented brawler bounced back in September when he knocked out Trevor McCumby to win the WBA interim belt.
Dirrell hasn’t competed since the Plant fight and as of this writing, there’s no indication as to when he could return to the ring.
Caleb Plant’s post-fight antics were criticized by some pundits, fans
Plant’s post-fight celebration was mostly due to the heated buildup with Dirrell ahead of fight night. For the majority of his career, Plant hasn’t opted for flashy post-fight flare after earning wild knockouts.
Before falling to Alvarez in 2021, Plant won his first 21 professional fights, including wins over Mike Lee and Caleb Truax. After knocking out McCumby in September, he’s back in title form, and could potentially work his way back to a possible rematch with Alvarez.
Interestingly enough, Plant created a ‘gravedigger’ action figure ahead of his fight with Benavidez, prompting controversy and backlash.
Plant has emerged as one of boxing’s best knockout artists, as evidenced by the fight with Dirrell. More than two years later, Plant’s knockout remains a topic of marvel and controversy altogether.
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