Now it’s over to fighting. The pre-event press conference of the Canelo Alvarez–Edgar Berlanga showdown thankfully concluded without any unsavory incident. But it wasn’t a dull and mundane affair either. Moments here and there occurred to keep the thrill and intrigue intact. One of the highlights remained the Caleb Plant and Trevor McCumby face-off.

The duo will fight for the interim super middleweight title. Plant comes off a break following a second career loss to David Benavidez. On the other hand, McCumby, who returned after a five-year long break last year, rides on the back of a three-match winning streak. Apart from the headliner, the weekend card boasts an array of edge-of-the-seat thrillers. The Plant-McCumby exchange must have aided in hyping up the show. A bevy of fans soon gathered when they came across ‘Sweethands’ sharing his side of the story through an Instagram post.

Caleb Plant vs. Trevor McCumby: Tick off before punchout

Caleb Plant shared a clip that featured the face-off with Trevor McCumby. With TGB Promotions’ head Tom Brown between them, the two fighters literally looked through each other’s eyes. As McCumby winked and smiled, Plant made it clear what he intended to do on Saturday night. “We’re going to see what that eye looks like when I bust that,” said the former super middleweight champion.

As McCumby taunted that he would ‘cave’ Plant’s ‘bird chest’, the Tennessean shot back, picking McCumby’s past controversy surrounding banned substances. In turn, the Yorkville, Illinois-born unbeaten fighter questioned how far Caleb Plant went in keeping his record clean.

“Never tested positive like you, and your breath stinks,” ‘Sweethands’ said. As the conversation started picking heat, it was the cue for Tom Brown to intervene and separate the duo. But the Plant and McCumby continued.

All sorted before the final bell

Plant reposted what he said at the face-off: “He’s no real gunslinger.” Later, he added another message: “His breath really stinks! ” Crazy!” The slanging match visibly charged up fans. Let’s check what a few of them had to say.

Finding Trevor McCumby’s appearance similar to a ‘highway patrol officer’, this fan perhaps expected nothing short of an early stoppage from Caleb Plant. “Sleep this highway patrol officer, please! 🙏🏽” the fan requested. Then the next fan recalled Plant’s 2022 ninth-round knockout of Anthony Dirrell. Combined with the beatdown he would deliver on Saturday night, the fan-highlighted ‘Sweethands’ will have the distinction of securing two of the most recognizable stoppages of recent times. They said, ““I CaNt wAiT… “Caleb bout to have two of the coldest KOs of the decade.”

Likewise, the following fan urged Caleb Plant to go a bit easy. The former champion had shaken Trevor McCumby to such an extent that the fan felt that he was about to cry. “Chill champ😂😂😂, you boutta make him start tearing up,” quipped the fan.

Exploring the humor further, the next user labeled the fight a ‘beard’—for Caleb Plant, versus ‘mustache’—for’ Trevor McCumby. “When a great beard meets a great mustache. Plant is already winning 😂,” the user said. Then this follower seems pretty certain that Plant has already won the battle considering the way he led the skirmish. Nothing more to be added: “We gotta stop. We just gotta stop right here. 😂 Caleb already won.”

Needless to say, for most fans, it was the ‘stinking breath’ remark that became the hallmark of the whole narrative. Because many felt the jibe simply agitated McCumby’s composure.

Jokes and provocations aside, the fight remains a crucial one for both fighters. However, it might mean much more for ‘Sweethands’. Considering the long break following two losses, he is standing at a crucial juncture in his career. A win might secure him the pole position needed to leverage the much-coveted rematch with Canelo Alvarez. Even if that fight never materializes, a triumph would push him towards better paydays and standing in the division.

Do you feel Trevor McCumby has it in him to inflict a third career loss on Caleb Plant?