Caleb Plant became the International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Jose Uzcategui on January 13, 2019 in an event televised live on Fox Sports 1 from the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, California.
Plant, (18-0, 10KO) knocked down Uzcategui, the defending champion, twice throughout the contest and was able to utilize great patience and ring generalship during the competitive fight. Despite a second round knockdown, Uzcategui provided a game effort in the early to mid-rounds, yet was dropped again in the fourth round and failed to keep up the same activity he produced in the outset of the fight.
All three judges scored in Plant’s favor, 116-110 twice and 115-111.
During the lead up to the championship fight, Plant had a photo of an IBF title attached to the ceiling above his bed for motivation. A Fox Sports 1 pre-fight documentary shadowed Plant in his training camp.
"This is overwhelming. I am a kid who came from nothing. I believed in myself and now I've been crowned king. Right now, I am not thinking ahead. I just want to embrace this moment and soak it in."
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Plant turned professional in 2014 and the IBF strap represents the 26 year olds first world title.