Caleb Plant Warns Trevor McCumby He’s Not Ready For The ‘Big Leagues
Former super-middleweight world champion Caleb Plant has warned Trevor McCumby that is not ready for the step up for the step up to the “big leagues” ahead of their bout in September.
Plant (22-2-0 13 KO) will face McCumby (28-0-0 21 KO) on the undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s unified super-middleweight title defense against Edgar Berlanga in Las Veas on September 14.
Plant, who lost his IBF world title to Canelo in November 2021, has not fought since his second career defeat to David Benavidez in March 2023. That has prompted McCumby to taunt the Nashville native on social media for his inactivity following a couple of career-high paydays.
Plant, however, insists his time away has had no impact on his sharpness and he vowed to show McCumby a difference in level that he’s never faced before.
“I’ve been using my time wisely and I’m proud to say that you’ll see the best Caleb Plant of my career on September 14,” Plant, 32, said. “On September 14, I get my hand raised in fashion. This is his first and last [opportunity].
Plant won his first 21 fights and claimed the IBF world title in January 2019 with a comfortable points win over Jose Uzcategui. He made three defenses of the belt before running into Canelo, who stopped the American in the 11th round. Following the defeat to Benavidez, Plant has now lost two of his last three fights, beating Anthony Dirrell in between.
“Trevor wants to be part of the big leagues,” Plant added. “What he thinks he’s gonna get and what he’s actually gonna get are way different. I live by the sword and die by the sword. Make sure you save that money, Trevor, because this is gonna be your first and your last payday.”
McCumby ended a five-year break from boxing in May 2023 and has reeled off three successive wins. However, there’s no escaping the fact that his 28-fight unbeaten run is lacking in any credible names.
Despite the clear step up to face Plant, McCumby is full of confidence that he will be victorious at the T Mobile Arena.
“We’re here,” McCumby, 31, said. “We’re training really really hard, and I’m gonna show everyone what I’m all about on September 14. We’ll see if he gets on his bike or if he wants to fight in the center of the ring. I’m ready and I’m training hard. I promise you this is gonna be a great fight.
“I’m not really concerned about what Caleb says or what he does. I think he’s kind of insecure. I’m a grown man and I conduct myself a certain way. We’re definitely gonna see it on September 14. I’m not sleeping in silk sheets, he is.”
