60-SECOND INTERVIEW
Paul Wheeler talks to an upcoming world title challenger
‘YOU CAN CONTROL WHAT YOUR OPPONENTS ARE DOING, BUT YOU CAN’T CONTROL LIFE’ Caleb Plant
When and why you started boxing:
I started boxing when I was nine years old. My dad introduced me to the gym.
Favourite all-time fighter:
James Toney because of his ring IQ and boxing ability. He had my favourite mentality, too – he was mean and wasn’t looking to make friends.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Marvin Hagler against Thomas Hearns.
Personal career highlight:
In the amateurs, it’d be winning the National Golden Gloves in 2011. As a professional, it’d be the fact that I’m ranked as the No. 2 supermiddleweight in the world [by the IBF].
Toughest opponent:
Life. You can control what your opponents are doing a lot of the time, but you can’t control life.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My main strength is my ring IQ. My weakness? I’ll have to get back to you…
Training tip:
Stay close to your fighting weight all year round.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
My favourite meal is a nice plate of seafood. My favourite restaurant is Martin’s Bar-b-que Joint in my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee [Plant fights out of Henderson, Nevada].
Best friends in boxing:
[Fiancée and host of PBC Jabs
boxing show] Jordan Hardy and [father] Richie Plant [who trains his son alongside Justin Gamber].
Other sportsman you would like to be:
Usain Bolt.
‘JAMES TONEY HAD MY FAVOURITE MENTALITY – MEAN AND NOT LOOKING TO MAKE FRIENDS’
Last film/tv show you saw:
The last movie I watched was
Avengers: Infinity War.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Tom Hardy.
Have you ever been starstruck:
No, I’ve never been starstruck. When I met Jordan was the closest thing [laughs]!
Last time you cried:
When I buried my daughter, Alia [who tragically passed away at the age of 19 months after suffering from a rare medical condition].
Best advice received:
‘Boxing is a small window and everything has to be right.’ My dad told me that.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I’m not the best 168-pounder in the world.
Something not many people know about you:
I have over a thousand comic books.