Trevor McCumby hungry to make the most of Caleb Plant opportunity

Undefeated super middleweight Trevor McCumby is on the verge of landing an August 17 showdown against Caleb Plant.  

McCumby, 31, 28-0 (21 KOs), says a fight versus the former IBF 168-pound titlist is close. 

“Yes, we’re looking at August right now, so just kind of waiting for an announcement but we will be back in August,” said McCumby. “The fight is a pretty high possibility. Caleb is a household name and it will definitely move me up in the rankings. Hopefully, a win will get me a title eliminator and then I get a shot after that one. 

McCumby has won three straight since ending a near-five year layoff in May 2023. The Glendale, Arizona native returned with a fifth-round stoppage win over Vicente Rodriguez, followed by a first-round KO of Rodolfo Martinez one month later. Most recently, McCumby won a wide 10-round unanimous decision over Christopher Pearson in January.   

“There is not a lot of tape of me out there,” said McCumby. “I have a lot of punching power. As you can see from my last fight, I have a lot of gas. I feel pretty certain Caleb is going to take the challenge. It’s a great opportunity and I’m very appreciative. It’s finally time where hopefully I can get a shot.

“I don’t have a lot of wear and tear. I know guys who have sparred quite a bit and it takes a toll on their career. I’m a fresh 31. My mind, body, spirit is right. I have God in my life. It’s a beautiful return for me. I’ve had trials and tribulations throughout the years and that’s why I’m tenacious. I’m tenacious in the ring and I’m tenacious in my life.”

Plant would easily be the toughest challenge of McCumby’s career. The pride of Nashville, Tennessee captured the IBF super middleweight world title in January 2019, dropping heavy favorite Jose Uzcategui twice on his way to a 12-round unanimous decision. 

Plant successfully defended his title three times before facing Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the undisputed 168-pound world championship in November 2021. Plant gave a good account of himself before succumbing in the 11th to Alvarez. Afterward, he joined forces with respected trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards and delivered a 2022 KO of the Year candidate when he flattened two-time champion Anthony Dirrell with a single left hook that October. 

In March 2023, Plant, 32, 22-2 (13 KOs), fought valiantly in losing a 12-round unanimous decision to unbeaten two-time champion David Benavidez. The loss proved that he is still one of the elite 168-pounders. 

“He’s a great fighter,” McCumby noted. “We always prepare. We have a great game plan and we’re going to get in there and handle business. There is no quit in me. I’m going to keep coming forward. In my last fight, Chris [Pearson] covered up a lot. I just want to put on a fan friendly fight, throw a lot of punches. I think I average about 100 punches a round.”

The Plant-McCumby bout could take place in Orlando, Florida, headlining Premier Boxing Champions’ first non-pay per view event this year. 

“I don’t know how Plant is going to come out, if he wants to move or wants to fight,” said McCumby. “I can just promise the fans it will be a great fight.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” back in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].