Plant dispatches Feigenbutz to retain IBF title but calls for Benavidez
Caleb Plant lived that dream of having world title fight in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee when he was a child some eighteen (18) years ago. The IBF middleweight champion and the Tennessee native did not only live that dream but had no troubles in winning his second defense of the title against a mandatory challenger in one-sided streak.
The Bridgestone Arena came alive in the very first round when Plant 27, (20-0, 12KOs), the quicker, taller, longer fighter, got his rhythm and game plan early and kept Feigenbutz at bay with a sharp jab and a quick super combination of punches. Plant planted left-hook followed with a heavy straight right in the face of Feigenbutz in the second round which appeared to have hurt him. He followed in similar fashion in the third round with amazing combination of punches to the head and body of Feigenbutz landing a strong left jab which wobbled Feigenbutz.
Plant keep pounding Feigenbutz with sharp combination of punches round after round. He had a big round nine (9) when he further injured a broken nose of Feigenbutz from the second (2) round. Referee Malik Waheed abruptly stopped the fight in the tenth round as Plant continue hammering Feigenbutz with combination of body shots and head shot.
“I was super-fueled. I could have gone all night,” Plant said. “The whole city came out. Nashville, stand up! I felt great. I was relaxed, sharp. I told you guys I was going to stop this fight before the 12th round.” Plant expressed.
Feigenbutz 24, (31-3, 28KOs) game plan was lost on him as he looks to catching Plant on the close to open his trade mark body shots but ended up receiving quick flurry of punches from Plant. “I can’t disagree with the stoppage,” Feigenbutz said.
“For the sport of boxing, safety is always first. The referee did a very good job. It was fair. To be a good winner you have to be a good loser.
“It was a very good experience,” Feigenbutz said. “Caleb Plant, to me, is the best of all the super middleweights. You saw my style — it’s a Rocky style. Sadly, I didn’t have much of my power at the end. It seems like he was always just 10 centimeters away from my punches during the fight. He was very fast. He was very creative with the way that he boxed. This morning when I woke up I was 168 pounds still and Caleb was 177 pounds. Maybe I will go down to middleweight.” Feigenbutz added.
Plant was excited and grateful to everyone who came to support him and called out his fellow Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pugilist David Benavidez who holds the WBC strap for a unification bout.
“Everybody knows I want that unification fight with David Benavidez,” said Plant.You know who the best 168-pounder is. If you want that you got to come see me. I’ve been wanting that fight. I’ve been asking for it and I’m tired of waiting” Plant added.