Caleb Plant is one of the most talented boxers in the world. His last few years have been a struggle, but the former IBF Super middleweight champion is ready to enter a new phase of his career when he will face Trevor McCumby for the interim WBA super middleweight title. The fight is all set to take place on September 14th, on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga.

It has been a whole year since Plant stepped into the ring and he is ready and motivated to take back the crown that he held so dearly in the past. Touted for his swift and smooth punches, Plant has lived up to his “SweetHands” moniker for his entire career. And now, as he steps into the ring against McCumby, he is motivated to take back the crown and once again rule over his kingdom.

The origin story behind Caleb Plant’s nickname ‘Sweethands’

Notably, Plant had a natural aptitude for combat sports. His father was a well-renowned kickboxer and in the Las Vegas native’s own words, boxing “saved” his and his father’s life. It gave them the direction and a purpose they needed in their lives. Plant’s father introduced him to the sport when he was just 9 years old and since then, boxing has been his life.

The former super middleweight champion showed an unreal attitude towards the sport and was a natural in the ring. He won many amateur boxing championships and impressed everyone with his sharp and fast punches. That is where he got the nickname of ‘Sweethands.’ During the National Golden Gloves championship 2011, Plant heard someone from the ringside appreciating him and how shocked they were by his talent.

The 22-2 boxer remembered, “Man, who is this kid? He sure has got real sweet hands. He’s slick and sharp and he’s got some real fast, sweet hands.” Plant reenacts the conversations he heard that got him his nickname.

He has been living up to his moniker since the start. The tougher the situation gets, the more he indulges himself in the sport. It is like an escape mechanism for him where everything makes sense. Despite the chaos, he consistently finds inner peace and excels.

More about Plant’s early life and background

Boxing is a tragic sport; every fighter has their demons that they are trying to overcome through this regulated violence. But even in a plethora of tragedies, Plant’s story stands out. It is gut-wrenching and somewhat inspirational how the boxer has turned his life around.

The Nashville-born boxer had to live in a trailer in his early life. His mother had a terrible drug and alcohol addiction and he had to live with his father and sister – which might have been a blessing in disguise as his father introduced him to boxing. Plant made a name for himself in the amateur circuit and did not stop even when he missed the 2012 Olympic spot. The more life threw at him, the harder he swung and came out on top.

In 2015, when the former champion was just 5 matches into his career, he lost his 19-month-old daughter. It was a dark phase in his life, but he kept on doing what he knew best and in 2019, he finally got the opportunity for the title fight. But once again, life struck as his mother passed away after being involved in a police-involved shooting. The incident happened just two months before his title fight, and the boxer promised his mother that he would be a world champion, which he fulfilled.

Once again, ‘Sweethands’ has the opportunity to take back his rightful place at the top of the boxing world and he is in no mood to let it pass. What do you think about Caleb Plant’s ‘Sweethands’ moniker? Does it suit his personality and boxing style?