Former IBF super-middleweight champion Caleb Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) has spoken for the first time since his stoppage defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) on Saturday night.
After frustrating Alvarez in parts of the contest, Plant would ultimately succumb to the brilliance of the Mexican in the eleventh round. After a lead left hook followed by a right uppercut sent the Nashville-native tumbling to the canvas for the first time in his career, the follow-up salvo from Alvarez forced referee Russell Mora to call an end to proceedings.
A disappointed Plant took to social media to thank his fans for their support, before promising to return and become world champion once again.
“I’ve bent most the world to my will and done it with nothing but passion and skill.” said Plant.
“I’ll be back ? I showed I belong on the top level and I’ll be champion of the world again.
“I’ve never been scared to go big or go out on my shield.
“Thank you to all the fans and all my supporters.”
Speaking via a translator, Alvarez praised Plant’s performance in the post-fight press conference, and revealed an apology was offered by the former champion after a volatile build-up between the pair.
“He wanted to keep fighting, he wanted to continue.” said Alvarez.
“He also apologised to me and told me that what he said about my mom [sic]. He didn’t mean it, that he was truly sorry about that.
“I told him, ‘Look it’s okay’ – it’s water under the bridge.
“I told him he was a great man and I told him also that I hope that someday, he has a great family as well, I only wish the best for him.”
Alvarez would then go on to voice his frustrations at his own inability to pin the crafty Plant down early in the contest, before admitting the second half of the fight went according to plan as he delivered his third consecutive stoppage victory.
“To be honest with you, yeah, I was a little frustrated, especially in the first five rounds.
“But then again, in the second part of the fight, it went exactly as we envisioned it.”
Feature image: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions