For professional middleweight boxer Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant, each day presents challenges and opportunities to grow stronger, wiser, more agile, respectful and finely-tuned by pushing through and fighting for the difference you want to make in life.
As an amateur boxer, he won the 2011 National Golden Gloves championship in the 178-pound division and was an alternate for the 2012 U.S. Olympics boxing team.
The 23-year-old Ashland City resident had his first fight as a professional boxer at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 10, 2014, with a first-round knockout of opponent Travis Davidson from Richmond, Va.
Since his debut, Plant is undefeated, with a total of eight knockouts, with five of them coming in the first round.
Plant knew what he wanted to do with his life from a very early age.
“How I grew up in poverty, I knew that is not where I wanted to be,” he said. “I knew early on I was going make this work, no matter what happens. If you know what you want, have passion and work hard, you’ll be successful.”
Plant sees having a team of positive support as part of that plan for success.
He said his personal heroes include his father, Reggie Plant, who serves as his assistant coach, and has instilled the value of a strong work ethic, while the success of his grandfather, businessman Boyd Jones, has helped to map out a plan for success that will also distinguish him as a unique, positive force in the boxing world.
Plant gets additional support and encouragement from head coach Justin Gamber and Daniel Johnson, who helps with strength and conditioning.
Family matters
One of the key drivers of Plant’s success is his fiancée, Carman, who has been by his side for several years.
“She’s very supportive, makes me conscious of food choices and reminds me of good decisions to make,” he said.
Plant also notes the importance of being prepared to handle the curves, obstacles and unforeseen challenges that come up in life.
“I’ve learned to appreciate the tough ones, the negatives because they trigger change,” he said. “I will never be content with going back.”
One of the biggest challenges he and Carman both faced was the loss of their 19-month-old daughter, Alia, on Jan. 29, 2015.
Alia passed away in Carman’s arms.
“She gives me the motivation to keep training and keep fighting every day,” he said.
Plant understood there would be changes with making the transition from the amateur ranks to the world of professional boxing.
“With amateur you wear head gear and padded gloves, but in the pros there’s no head gear and the gloves aren’t padded,” he said. “Also, amateur boxing is more about a love of the sport while in the pros it’s a business and more blood hungry.”
The journey continues
Plant understands the differences and is committed to reinventing himself as a professional athlete.
“There is the entertainer that has to have charisma to draw the fans,” he said. “You’re kind of like a product, and you want things that distinguish you, make you stand out. But I want to present myself as tough, unstoppable, but also dignified. I want to box in a way that’s true to myself so I can enjoy my family and future kids.”
As the 2011 Sycamore High School graduate stops to think of his journey to embarking upon a successful career as a pro boxer, the smiling presence of Alia comes to mind, as he still grieves for his little girl who died in Carman’s arms.
“We didn’t ask for this story, but it makes me who I am,” he said. “Her impact is something people can relate to and helps me relate to others as I work and push through to get back.”
Plant also understands that as a professional athlete that he also becomes a role model. Even that for Plant has its own unique spin.
“I want to be, not a role model, but a real model,” he explained. “I want people to know that things will come out of left field, but you have to fight through them. You can still get to where you want to go —no matter what. It’s the focus on pushing through those unexpected challenges and rough spots that leads to your success.”
Plant works out six days a week, boxing in the gym at Music City Boxing in Nashville on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with strength and conditioning in the afternoon, followed by runs at night.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, he spars in the evenings and works out after sprints, with Sunday as his day of rest.
“My goal is to be a multi-time world champion at multi-weight divisions, to be the best fighter pound for pound, and to be recognized as the undisputed champion — the best in my division,” he said.
