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There is a competitive spirit that encompasses Anthony Dirrell. Still, that hasn’t stopped the former two-time super middleweight belt holder from building relationships with his opponents. However, in the case of Caleb Plant, Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs) has taken notice of his behavior both in and out of the ring.
For most of the last two years, Dirrell has expressed on countless occasions that he detests the way Plant behaves. With the two talking back and forth during a recent press conference to promote their Oct. 15 matchup, Dirrell took it upon himself to accentuate Plant’s lack of close connections in the boxing community.
“No one likes him,” Dirrell said during his news conference.
An amused Plant smiled as Dirrell continued to recite names like Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez as fighters who have openly confessed their disdain for the Nashville, Tennessee native.
Despite Dirrell’s claims, Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) didn’t seem bothered by his harsh words. According to the recently turned 30, he couldn’t care less if a single 168-pound fighter considers him a friend.
“Every time I’ve had a fight, afterward, we’ve shaken hands and given each other proper respect and then gone home,” Plant told a group of reporters. “But as far as walking every day, holding hands, I’m not interested in that. We are opponents, we are at opposite ends of the spectrum. We will be competing. I don’t care if they want to be my friends or my friends. We have to compete.”
At the age of 37, and coming off one of the most impressive knockout wins of 2021, Dirrell has admitted he is looking for another world title run. While he is well aware that he is near the end of his boxing rope, Dirrell credits his strict and strict lifestyle as a key factor in remaining among the division’s elite after all these years.
“Just doing what needs to be done outside the ring,” Dirrell confessed. “Don’t smoke, don’t drink anything. Keeping your body where it belongs. Take care of your body, your body will take care of you. Stay ready and stay in the gym.”
Following Dirrell’s statement, a look of disbelief etched itself on Plant’s face. Although the pair are not close friends, the former IBF champion believes that Dirrell’s comments are simply wrong.
“He drinks and smokes and doesn’t train all year. Anthony Dirrell doesn’t do that,” Plant continued. “He may be the type of person who sees this as a job. But this is not a job for me. I train all year, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. Boxing is like my whole life. I take this very seriously.”
Plant, of course, will be looking to regain his championship status after coming up short against Canelo Alvarez in November 2021. Dirrell, on the other hand, has other ideas and has repeatedly mentioned that he envisions beating Plant savagely on fight night.
Ultimately considering Dirrell’s plans to hand Plant a second straight loss, the Las Vegas resident sees his matchup against him, and anyone else, as much more than just your run-of-the-mill boxing match.
“Anyone looking to get in the way of my dreams and everything I worked for, that’s a little personal to me.”
