Caleb Plant is an American boxer who held the IBF super middleweight strap between 2019 and 2021. “Sweet Hands” rose up through a lot of strife and tragedy to become the IBF world champion. Growing up as part of an impoverished community, things like substance abuse and criminal behavior were commonplace. However, this did not deter Plant in any way.
His parents, Richie and Beth Plant. worked as hard as possible to provide a decent life for Caleb and his siblings. It was in Richie’s crude gym that Caleb learned the art of boxing. Despite the frugal facilities, Caleb and his father worked tirelessly to help him achieve his goal of becoming a champion.
Caleb Plant is fighting for his family. 👊#BenavidezPlant next Saturday on SHO PPV: https://t.co/GwkgSB6zK7 pic.twitter.com/DrfQpJLS0a
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 18, 2023
Growing up in such a harsh environment with sparse resources led to Plant developing a swagger that few fighters have. However, the most interesting aspect of Plant’s career recently is fans arguing that he is black. This joke went viral after his last opponent, Anthony Dirrell said he would never let a “white boy” beat him before getting knocked out by “Sweet Hands”. Coupled with his aforementioned swagger, fans didn’t need much to latch onto this joke.
Regardless of fans’ wild theories, Caleb Plant is actually caucasian. Both his parents are white, and the only African-American person in his family currently, is his wife, Jordan Hardy.
Boxing fans on Twitter joke that Caleb Plant is black
Many fans on Twitter came up with their own evidence to support the notion that Plant is black. Whereas, others seemed to double down on the joke, listing him among the best active black fighters. A few even said Dirrell didn’t lose to a “white boy” since Caleb Plant is “black.” Here are some of the best Tweets about this wild notion.
Anthony Dirrell said I’ll never let a White Boy beat me. So he got Knocked Out By A White Boy. 🤣 But since Caleb Plant is considered Black by Wakanda… so technically, he didn’t get beat by a White Boy. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Coach Malachi Williams (@coach_malachi) October 16, 2022
All the black fighters got a big statement today in boxing
— Rahul (@rahulV2588) October 16, 2022
1)baumgardener
2)shields
3)Devin Haney
4)Caleb plant
5) Deontay wilder
Really??? he fought Caleb Plant that dude is black just in a white mans body!!?? pic.twitter.com/A38PWZ9S91
— Alberto Vazquez (@Albertocrn87) May 7, 2022
My son said he likes Caleb Plant over most black fighters. Caleb black though ain't he.? 😂🤣😭
— IamCJ (@MsSportzWorld) May 15, 2022
However, there was a vocal section of fans who were against this joke. Instead, they joked that Caleb was rejected by some delegation, and the only reason fans still thought he was black was that the official communication was misplaced. Others were much more serious in shutting down the joke, not playing into the crude humor of others.
Vince, the black delegation regrets to inform you that we rejected Caleb Plant. He could not recite the words to the Notorious BIG’s Juicy. Our official communication got lost in the mail. We will however take Jerry Seinfeld off your hands. pic.twitter.com/v83ujqp2Ka
— The World Famous MVO (Matt) (@izdatyofaceee) September 3, 2021
Caleb Plant black? Yo, you trippin
— Ayò (@ay0tund3) May 4, 2022
I rock with Caleb Plant as a boxer.. But all that “honorary black” and he “one of us” talk gotta chill.. As a people we do this BS a lot. Caleb has an involved dad and all.. Let that man be a who he is (a white boxer with swag). That’s ok and it’s enough‼️
— Truth Over Narrative (@ASideBoxingTalk) October 16, 2022
Regardless of all the jokes and nonsense, Caleb Plant really is one of the best boxers in the world. He proved that om his wins against Anthony Dirrell and Mike Lee. And the fact that he lost his undefeated record to only Canelo Alvarez just goes to show that Caleb is an elite boxer and it takes a bonafide legend to put him down. Nevertheless, it will be amusing to see what new jokes fans come up with as he takes on David Benavidez.
