Caleb Plant looks to welcome Trevor McCumby to the big leagues

Caleb Plant has beaten 22 of 24 opponents. He won his first world title 5 ½ years ago. He has only lost to 2 of the very best in the sport. He is a former world champion that defended his belt 3 times.

Not bad for a guy who apparently quits in tough spots. 

On September 14, live from Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans will be tuning in to see boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez take on his latest challenge in New York’s Edgar Berlanga. 

The card is full of stars on the undercard, including Danny Garcia, Erislandy Lara, Rolly Romero, and others. 

One interesting fight is undefeated but relatively unknown, Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KO) taking on former world champion Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 KO). 

McCumby has accused Plant, a popular former world champion, of “quitting” in fights. Interesting choice of words against a guy who has only lost in a distance fight with a much bigger David Benavidez and in a back-and-forth shootout with star Canelo Alvarez. 

Three weeks out from the fight, Plant was a -1200 betting favorite. So, somebody thinks he can win. 

These are strange comments coming from McCumby, a fighter that took 4 years off at the end of 2018 and only had his first 10-round fight last summer.

Years back, Chicago-native McCumby was a strong, (albeit ‘under the radar’) prospect with Top Rank Boxing, fighting out of Arizona. 

He turned pro 10 years ago and from 2014 until 2018 racked up an impressive, 25-0 record. The only name of note on his ledger was that of Chicago fighter Donovan George whom he TKO’d in 6. That result was later changed to an NC after it was learned McCumby tested positive for a banned substance.

In recent press chats, both fighters were excited to get back in the ring after long absences.      

“I’m coming for his heart and I want to see what he has,” McCumby said, “We’ve seen him quit; he quits. So, I mean, you haven’t seen that with me. I guarantee you that, when the going gets tough, he’s going to find a way to quit.”

Wow. For a guy who hasn’t accomplished a fraction of what the tough and talented Plant has, he’s certainly hurling some strong accusations.

Needless to say, the comments certainly ignited a response from Plant.  

“I never quit so I don’t know where he’s getting that from,” he said. “I guarantee you, on September 14, I bet he quits. You know, him saying I quit, I hadn’t seen that. That’s my first time hearing that. For him to call me a quitter? I’ve never quit in my life."

McCumby, is looking to show he belongs. 

Plant, is looking to show he never left. 

I hope McCumby is as motivated as he says he is because he certainly pushed the motivation button on an already dialed-in Plant.  

“This fight? For him it’s a great chance,” said Plant. “But trust me it’s his last chance. For him to call me a quitter. That’s nice to know, we’re going to figure that out for sure,” he continued. “On September 14 y’all are going to see the best Caleb Plant yet. He better save his money because this will be his first and last big payday, I promise you that." 

McCumby says he is going looking for Plant’s heart? Something tells me he won’t have to look hard too hard for Plant on fight night. 

Plant will be the guy coming right at McCumby… before one of them quits. 

Let’s see who it is.